"Each one should use the gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms."
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
"...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...." Romans 12:5&6 (NIV)
The text goes on to say use whatever God has given you use it in the best way you can cheerfully, to glorify God. In short we all have jobs to do that will build and help other parts of the body of Christ grow and function at their best.
Yesterday, I went back to my surgeon for a 2 week follow up check up. In the past two weeks I've felt better and am functioning better than I have in a long time. Since August of 2008 I lost control of my bladder. I wore a patch to keep me from wetting my pants. I was taking medicines to try to clear up abscesses on abscesses in my urinary tract and bladder. I was bleeding and hurting more than most of you can imagine.
Along with that, my only bowel was strangulated between mesh, muscle and my stoma. I was literally trying to evacuate my one and only bowel. All this made ridding in a car excruciatingly painful. The tears would flow from the vibration, just traveling down the road.
Amazingly, since surgery I can ride, and walk without too much pain. Mesh and muscles were weighing on my bladder and urinary tract. I don't have to wear the pee patch anymore! Yeah Hey!! My bowel was taken out of the muscle and stoma and Dr. Binderow reconstructed it. It still hurts, but wow what an awesome relief!
I'm telling you all this to remind you, every part of the body of Christ needs it's own space to function. We can help each other by allowing the other members to function without extra pressure. No two people will do things exactly a like, that's okay! We're different for a special season, that's enough reason! We also need to remember, it's okay to let others help us when they can. But no one can carry your load for you. Just like my bladder and bowel needed relief from other pressing, overbearing parts; other believers can't be put under pressure to the point of death.
Look around you in your family, your church, and your Christian friendships; are their stresses that may lead to pain or even death? If there are, try to help fix them. Be a helpful body member. ;)
PS... I know I've overtaxed some of you with my heavy load in the past. I'm so sorry. Be blunt-let me know if I do it again. I wouldn't hurt you for anything. I love you.
