In Jesus, everyone has their part. This is important for us to remember and we'd better believe it. If we don't, then we're going to lose out on what God wants to do.
I was reminded of this today in our "devotions". We're just starting a study guide, this one done by Eugene Peterson on Psalms: Prayers of the Heart. I volunteered to lead it, so I did, but did so by attempting to get out of the way as much as possible, and encourage a discussion with each other over the questions pertaining to Psalm 1. It was a good exercise and reminder to me of what we gain when we seek to let everyone have their part, and what we lose when we don't.
Of course each of us has our part. It may be small and by itself it may seem insignificant, but when put with the rest it ends up being a rhythm and harmony put in place by God through the Spirit, a song of love in Christ to be sung, danced and lived out in this world.
I do get kind of tired of the notion that only certain ones really hit the notes right or make the right sound. This is so silly. God would have each of us hit the note or make the sound he has for each of us. Without the contribution of each, the song is missing something. When will we really believe this? I'm working on it, both to be willing to do my part and eagerly want each to join in with their part.
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9 comments:
I loved your final thoughts about it being rather ridiculous that only some can hit the right notes. I was just discussing this with a friend on Monday, saying I think our culture has very narrow values about who is worthy. And we ended our conversation with thoughts of Henri Nouwen who, when he went from Harvard to L'Arche, realized that nothing he had known or done was of use to him there. He needed to begin again.
It's difficult to lead a small group into participatory discussion...sounds like you did well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
every little hair that goes down the drain can become a big clog. i know this in not a good example but it is ment to show how things add up.
adding up can also be a good thing...every little note on the page played by each instrument can become a beautiful symphonic blending and resonance of tone.
everyone is important to God and his will. His planning for life through us.
His Spirit resonates with our Spirit.
He is all of the notes that resonates with all of our notes that when played togheter makes a sound that blends and plays a beautiful Masterpiece of life in the Spirit.
it is not wonderful to play the part of the tuba when we are a flute
and it is not always wonderful to be a tuba...even if it looks inviting to be one...being one might not be a wonderful as it looks.
God wants us to love Him
which means to resonate with his Holy Spirit. it is not so much about us as we think it is.
walking and living in line with Him and through Him is what will make us what we are.
it is through Him that we find our true selves.
through our walk with God is played out in this life that is lived with others.
L.L.,
Yes. That's a good story to learn from- I mean Henry Nouwen's.
Surely we have to be like the children we are, letting each other take their turn and have their special place, as well as taking our turn. Of course God has us grow into the stature of Jesus, but we do so as siblings, and not as those rivaling each other.
That beginning again must somehow be related to this. Love and grace in Jesus and as part of God's family in Jesus.
ESI,
We know each other well. And the guide book I refer to has excellent suggestions. Plus I'm more than comfortable with the material from Eugene Peterson. And it's the kind of material that faciliates discussion around the text. So by grace, it was a good time.
Nancy,
Your thoughts bring home to me the paradox that as we lose our lives in God we find our true lives in God. Very special, each life, but only in that new light and life in God.
it is interesting that parts of a body stay in their place while the air and blood and food and drink move around and through to feed the parts. and the body as a whole moving together.
and all this with Christ as it's head being over the body and yet part of it.
Nancy,
Powerful analogy we have from Scripture. Organic by the Spirit.
I should add in response to ESI's comment that whatever real success or good work from God occured was in answer to prayer.
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