Romans 12:3-8
February 22
We just had the blessing of attending the 30th birthday celebration one of our sons, along with a batch of our children and grandchildren. The stroke was a huge wake up call to how quickly this earthly life can be over and to make the sacrifice to be with those we love when possible. We checked into the hotel the night before the kids arrived, so I could be rested. In the lobby we saw a woman our age, leading her husband who had obviously had a stroke. I know the shoe could have easily been on the other foot and it be I who is having to care so diligently for my husband. Thank you. Pop, for all you've done these past five months! A huge thanks also to our children for making this weekend happen and accepting me in slow mo. But most of all, thanks be to God, whose grace I continue to see day after day. I know all things are possible, only because of Him.
Let's keep soaking in the wisdom from Romans chapter 12.
3 I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
6-8 If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
