FAITH

placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be … As it is, there are many parts, but one body … Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Interdependence

The point is this: you need the body, and the body needs you. The branch cannot survive without the vine, and the vine cannot be fruitful without the branch. The hand needs the foot as much as the foot needs the hand. We are all necessary to each other and to the mission of God.

Over the years, I have heard plenty of believers say that they don’t need the church to follow Jesus. Well, according to Jesus and Paul, they are wrong. We do need the church — and the church needs us. It is His Body, and like it or not, that’s the way God made it. If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with Him.

Listen, I understand why some believers disconnect from the church. Heaven knows I’ve been tempted to do so many times. Some church people can be downright mean and ugly. There aren’t many of them, but they get a lot of attention because they make a lot of noise and create a lot of pain. But I must tell you, the vast majority of church people are just plain awesome. They are loving and kind and filled with compassion, mercy, and grace. They give of themselves in such beautiful ways. One of the greatest honors of my life has been to serve alongside church people. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them.

So yes, church can be messy sometimes, but more often than not, it is amazing and transformational. Through the body of Christ, my life has been richly blessed — and maybe — in some small way — my life has blessed others.

How about you? So many people have disconnected from the church since Covid. Or maybe it was something else that caused you to stop attending. Whatever the reason, it’s time to come home. The body needs you — and you need the body. Without it, you are missing out on important aspects of God’s transformational grace.

I pray God’s grace will help you to overcome whatever obstacle has kept you away. The best thing to do is just show up. Trust me, reconnecting to the body will bring new life into your bones — and your presence will make a difference for others.