How Beautiful

Often at the time of invitation in our services, people will come to the front of the auditorium requesting special prayer.  Just such an occasion took place this past Sunday, as we had the opportunity for special prayer for Larry Cooper at the 9:00 a.m. service and for Theresa Trusty at the 10:30 a.m. service.  Both of these individuals are dealing with surgeries of a very significant nature.

There is something beyond special, and very beautiful, when the Body of Christ comes around people as in the picture above, taken on Sunday by Bonnie Holzbauer.  Our people came around both Larry and Theresa and poured out their hearts in prayer to God. We take very seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” It was beyond a coincidence that in both services, our prayers together for these people were followed by Dan Duncan singing, “How Beautiful is the Body of Christ.” Dan did a great job communicating that message in music.

I received another wonderful reminder of how precious the opportunity is to be part of the Body of Christ, and how people long to be part of that body with their brothers and sisters in the worship assembly.  Last week I was privileged to visit several of our people in nursing homes.  In two of these situations, I could not help but notice that the ladies I was visiting actually had their iPad with them in their bed. When I inquired regarding the reason for keeping the tablet with them in bed, both gave the same reply: “I am making sure I am ready for Sunday.”  You see, in both of their cases their relatives (with a little more computer savvy than these ladies have) had set up their tablets so that with a simple click or two, they were able to be on the livestream of our worship service.  These ladies placed such a premium on being part of the Body of Christ, even if it needed to be online only at this time in their lives. I must admit, both of these ladies’ attitude about being part of the body got me choked up.  When I got home and told Diane about it, the tears rolled down my cheeks.   I said, “Diane, they keep their iPads in bed with them all week so they are ready to worship.”  I do not ever want to take for granted what a joy and privilege it is to be part of the Body of Christ.

I hope we view every opportunity to be with our brothers and sisters – whether in worship, prayer, or fellowship – as an important and precious privilege. Truly, “How Beautiful is the Body of Christ.”