WE Are the Body
It’s crowded in worship today…as she steps in, trying to fade into the faces. The girls’ teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know…farther than they know….
These are the first words to the Casting Crowns song, “If We Are the Body.” It talks about how our words and actions have much more affect on people than we care to realize. And what’s really sad about it is that too many times, the affects of our words and actions cause someone else to take an action that is permanent. Do we even realize that? Do we even care?
A beautiful little girl took her own life recently because of bullying. Because of messages and statements from peers (I did not say “friends” ~ these were not her friends to treat her this way), they convinced her that she was worthless and should die. So she killed herself. She was twelve.
It breaks my heart and makes my stomach utterly sick to think that this precious baby thought that no one cared about her and that the only way out was to end her life! However, I can also identify with what she felt because I once was there myself.
After a particularly bad haircut and perm when I was in the fifth grade, I endured endless laughter and ridicule from my classmates and peers. One day the abuse went to the degree that one boy walked up behind me, in front of the class, and began to sing-song insults and ridicule in my ear. When I became upset and turned to defend myself, the whole class began laughing. How humiliating. But when I went home and confided what had happened, seeking the solace that a little girl should be able to have, I only heard, “Well, you brought it on yourself. YOU wanted your hair cut!”
I spent the better part of my growing up years feeling despair and hopelessness. I even entertained the idea that maybe everyone would just be better off without me. No little girl should grow up that way. She should grow up happy and carefree, feeling that she is the princess she is because her heavenly Daddy loves her and knows that she is wonderful and amazing. Sadly, there are too many girls, young women, and even older women, who don’t have one clue how awesome that they are because of the lies they have been told by others, and by the way they are treated.
If we are the body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His words teaching? If we are the body, why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
Another young woman took her life after years of mental and emotional abuse by her family. She suffered deep bouts of depression, with no help given to her. She even logged her experiences, feelings, and desires in many journals. But did anyone actually realize the truth? No. Sadly, abusers, intimidators, and oppressors never admit the truth. They always blame someone else, including the victim. And often, they gather supporters who never hear the other side and have no idea of the truth.
Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come.
It has been way over thirty years since my fifth grade experience, yet I still remember it, along with other incidents throughout my growing up years. The only difference now is that instead of letting it bother me, I use those experiences to help others who suffer the same things. I show them the love and healing power of God, encouraging them that He can use them no matter what their situation. I now know that God had a much bigger plan for me than what others thought or said!
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone…especially to those in the family of faith. ~Galatians 6:10, NLT
I also thank God daily for the man He placed in my life to be my soul mate, my life partner, my husband, best friend, protector, and many other things. God gave me someone who showed me the love of Jesus in physical form, while showing me and helping me realize who I am in Christ.
We are the body of Christ. It is our job to love others, to nurture them, to help them heal, to show them who they are in Christ, and especially to help them become who God intended for them to become. We are not here to ridicule, judge, or condemn.
What are you doing today to help someone out of the pit of bondage? Whether it is depression, mental and emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, drugs, alcohol, whatever the case may be… Help someone! You never know just whom you may keep from making a lasting and permanent mistake. We can’t afford to lose one more precious.
