The Rev. Twila Smith
Grace & Mediator, Allentown
“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members
have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ,
and individually we are members one of another.”
– Romans 12:4-5
Who among us has not yearned at some point in our lives for an extra hand? One of the wonders of being in a group, in a community, is watching all the gifts come together, and realizing we each don’t need to be more than we already are. Where I am weak, another is strong; what I cannot do, another can.
Where two or more are gathered … We, who are many, bring diverse gifts to the table, and we do not all share the same roles, the same purpose. Rarely do I need a reminder that we also do not function the same, we don’t see or do things the same way. At it’s best, that is part of the beauty.
I have been reminded these past few months how much intention and practice it takes to move as one body.
Lately, I have been walking on a foot that is in pain and I notice how it can affect my every movement. Sure, I tried to ignore it, make adjustments, do the work-arounds. But it flares up and works against me, with its own agenda for my daily travels. For the past few weeks, a physical therapist has been helping me re-integrate it with the rest of my body. We’re not simply working on that foot. For me to move well, all parts need a chance to be strong and function as intended. The foot cannot dictate how my whole body moves, nor can the rest of me move without being attentive to the foot and intentionally making changes.
“Body awareness,” my PT coaxes.
Teach us, God of wisdom and wonder, as we continue walking together. Help us to embody Christ by being aware of one another, honoring our many members, and practicing, daily, to walk as one.