What are you planning for this new year? I want to suggest something that will help us to use it better. The idea is that we are all parts of one body, and none of us is alone! Since we have become a part of Christ, we partake of His nature. He very clearly said, “I and the Father are one.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have no selfish
agendas. They are truly one in purpose, care, joy and sorrow. That is how we should be, and must be, if we belong to the Lord! Each one of us is a member of the other. When my little toe hurts, the rest of my body does not ignore it. That toe is me. My head knows it and my hand knows it. So with all my parts I care for that sore toe. When something good or bad happens to a member of the body of Christ, that thing is happening to the entire body. In a way, when I try to comfort or help another part of the body, I am helping my other self. So think “body” this year. Think of the whole to which we all belong. We belong to each other. Let us be as connected to one another as the parts of our physical bodies are connected. Then we will fulfill the prayer of Jesus, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21, NIV).
Henceforth let us resolve we shall no more look at a brother or sister thinking what that person owes us or ought to do for us. Instead let us build one another up. Then, and only then, will we find all our individual needs met!
— Lawrence BarrÂ
