Have you ever just stood and looked at yourself in the mirror? What do you see? Do you see all of the beautiful things about your looks, or do you focus more on the things you don’t really like - your flaws, so to speak? Like most women, we tend to focus more on the negative aspects of our physical appearance, but have you ever considered that by seeing anything negative about yourself, you are insulting the work of God? He created us in His likeness, and He was intentional about his work. We should thank God every day for the way we look.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalms 139:14
Every single one of us is unique. From what we look like to the sound of our voices, no two people are the same. Even identical twins have something that distinguishes them from the other. It’s crazy to think that there are approximately 7.9 billion people in the world, and God created each one of us to be different. He is THAT creative!
Knowing that we are all different and that it’s sometimes hard to overlook things that other people do that annoy us, God gave us directions through Paul in Ephesians 4 on how to flourish together as one body in Christ. He gave us precise instructions:
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”
Ephesians 4:2-4 NLT
People are stronger when they are part of something bigger than themselves. Jesus didn’t take on the world alone. He gathered disciples to go with Him as He traveled. Satan wants to keep us from gathering together as one body, so he uses our differences to cause chaos in the church and drive people apart. God also gave us directions for these times.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
(As I was putting this together, writer’s block hit me right here. Try as I might, I couldn’t think of how to end this, and the deadline came, so I just turned it in, knowing that it needed more, but I was so frustrated that I didn’t know what else to do. Well, God provided just what I needed on Sunday in both Rusty’s message in church and Sheila’s message at the Shaken and Stirred bunco event. )
We need each other! For some reason, we want to believe that if we think differently from someone, then the other person must be wrong, and that causes division among us - both in the church and in our own family and friend groups. Satan uses this to cause division and isolate people from each other. If he can make us feel alone or unloved, he wins, but as Rusty said, “Jesus did not come to take sides. He came to take over!” There should only be one side, and that is God’s side. Our true joy should come from the assurance that one day none of this will matter. In order to actually “flourish” as one body (the body of Christ), we must put aside our differences, forgive each other, and dedicate ourselves to the one true goal: introducing others to Jesus. There is someone out there who needs you to tell them what Jesus did for you and can do for him/her. Make that your goal for the week. Feed His sheep!
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
John 21:17
Chelynn is a contributing writer for Shaken and Stirred. She is a long-time daughter of Christ, a wife, mother of two amazing adult children, and Nonnie to four beautiful grandchildren. She teaches Senior English at Charles Page High School and is also a Realtor for Keller Williams. She enjoys all things summer including boating, vacationing, and swimming.
Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash