Community

 

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:17-27 ESV).

 

Our reading today comes as an introduction to one of the most famous passages dealing with genuine love (cf. 1 Corinthians 13). It seems the Corinthians believers were divided. They separated along many lines. Some found themselves feeling alone, almost as if they had been marooned on a deserted, lifeless island. The problem with this kind of segregation is it erases community. Without community there cannot be balance in our lives.

 

God said it is not good for man to be alone. Loneliness can be a terrible bane. So, God made us male and female, to add balance and spice to life. God made marriage for mutual companionship and mutual help. This is especially true in the case of opposites attracting one another. Of course, opposites can eventually irritate each other too. So love and respect for each other’s strengths and forbearance of each other’s weaknesses are necessary for it all to work.

 

However, not all people are called to be married. This is true in some of the different seasons of life. But whether God has called us to be married or single, there is another community that soothes our loneliness: the church of Christ, the community of faith. Use your talents together to glorify the God who calls us to be like a light in darkness to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. Patiently learn to work together in the church; listen carefully to each other. The church brings deep companionship and balance to our lives as few other things can.