The Family of Believers
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. —Romans 12:15
When a friend of mine’s mother passed away, I decided to fly to Texas for her memorial. I called my friend to let her know I was coming and would be available to help in any way needed. Errand-running, picking up flowers, delivering program copies to Kinko’s, making sure people were seated in the proper place, you name it, I was available to help! Her response came as a surprise, “We don’t need anything.” The reason, she told me, was that the members from their home church and a neighboring church had taken care of everything…there was not a detail they had left out.
I love seeing the body of Christ in action. When we celebrate, we celebrate together. When we mourn, we mourn together. The death of my friend’s mother happened unexpectedly, but when there was a time of need, the church rallied around the family and helped take care of their needs during a very trying time.
Are you connected to the body of believers? I am not simply asking if you make it to church on Sunday. It is easy to do that and to disappear out the back door before the service ends and have no one know your name. God provides us with each other to walk through life. He wants you to be connected and find support and comfort in the Body of Christ. We will all do better when we don’t try to go afterlife on our own, but when we go with support.
So when life happens – the death of a loved one, the birth of a new child, the struggle of adolescent years, the pain of a divorce – we have fellow Christians who can come alongside us and walk through life’s triumphs and trials, rejoicing when we rejoice and mourning with us when we mourn. God does not desire anyone to have to do life alone, but community doesn’t just happen. You must make the choice to join in fellowship with other believers.
GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways have you connected with a body of believers so you can walk through life with Christian support? If you have not, what are some types of opportunities your church offers to connect with others?
2. How can you show support this week to a fellow believer?
FURTHER READING:
Acts 4:32; Romans 12:1-22; 1 Peter 2:13-25
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