The Body of Christ -- Just Ordinary People

Three pictures of the Body:

Yesterday I met up with many people from my past when I spoke at a Mennonite Church north of here. My title, "Our part in the Global Church," sparked many reactions, primarily people's stories of how they have felt connected to the wider Church. It is always interesting to hear the kinds of things that become significant experiences in people's spiritual journeys. But what is even more encouraging is the longing I hear from people who desire to be missional, but just need someone to put the vision out there or someone willing to take the first step.

And today, a long conversation with someone very active in the Vietnamese Mennonite Churches ended by the person exclaiming the tears of joy he experienced in a recent gathering of worshipping Believers in Phnom Penh that included Vietnamese, Cambodian and Americans, the very people so deeply involved in the Vietnam-American conflict less than a generation ago.

Finally a phone call from a family wanting to make an anonymous donation toward a ministry in the church. My heart began to sing that for all the struggles the Church has had over the generations, there is still something beautiful about it, something very sturdy about it, something precious about how people make up the Body of Christ. We are imperfect but God has called us to be the hands and feet of Christ's Body.

My brother died ten years ago this year. Hard to believe. The tape left in his car was one of his favorites by Twila Paris. The words from one of those songs started running through my mind after the phone call:

How beautiful the hands that served
the wine and the bread
and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful the feet that walked
the long dusty roads
and the hills to the cross.
How beautiful, how beautiful
how beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the radient Bride
who waits for her Groom
with His light in her eyes.
How beautiful when humble hearts give
the fruit of pure lives
so that others may live.
How beautiful, how beautiful
how beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the feet that bring
the sound of good news
and the love of the King.
How beautiful the hands
that serve the wine and the bread
and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful, how beautiful
how beautiful is the body of Christ.