Friendship—It's Complicated预览

Day 9

I am so keenly aware that if we don’t take our place with a collective obedience and deep understanding of what a great honor it is to 𝘣𝘦 the church and 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 the church, wherever and whatever the assignment, we’ll simply become critics of the bride (one another) instead of builders of her. Without honor for the collective whole of the body of Christ, we become like a bride tearing herself apart as she’s trying to walk down the aisle to meet the bridegroom.

What good is a torn and tattered bride screaming at herself, “Be more like my toe! No, be like my lung—you can’t breathe without me! Don’t be foolish; the hands are the best part—they do all the good work. Be like them or you’ll be judged!” Does that not paint a picture of sheer crazy?! This would be a hard wedding to watch, yet this is us, the bride, self-mutilating and comparing our different limbs, functions, and organs as being more or less superior than others instead of coming together and appreciating the whole!

We need to stop body shaming the bride and gain greater biblical understanding of how to actually have, appreciate, and walk in true unity in our diversity so that we can move the Great Commission forward.

To have true unity in diversity as sisters, first we need to know who we are and embrace, love, and appreciate it, and operate comfortably in our own skin. And second, we need to begin to see, appreciate, and love who God has made our sisters to be, even if they don’t think, act, look, or operate like us. We have to remember that we belong to one another and that our faith is communal, not just individual, and, therefore, making peace is a part of the process.

Reflection Points

• If the body has “many different parts, not just one part,” are you aware of the part you play in the bigger picture? And if you are aware, are you honored to walk in your assignment, or do you find yourself longing to have a life like that of another sister or friend?

• What is your biggest struggle in the comparison game? We, the body of Christ, need you to be you, and we need you to be obedient to Christ in whatever He is asking you to do!

• How can you move toward being a healthy peacemaker in your friendships, even if it requires conflict?