Throughout his letters Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to represent the church in relation to the risen Christ. When discussing this topic we often speak about the uniqueness of each individual and their benefit to the whole. We say, “We need the feet, mind, and hands, the apostles, teachers, and worker of miracles.” In this we are attempting to remind ourselves that everyone contributes, even the loud woman singing horribly off-key.
Yet this discussion frequently leaves out the broken arm or stuffy nose. It isn’t pleasing to talk about those things. Or so we believe. What kind of body would we be if we were broken or sick?
It’s time to face reality: the body is broken and riddled with disease. And I’m not just talking about “little sins” that we forget about the next day. Believers of Jesus Christ struggle with addictions, face depression, have eating disorders, and transfer diseases. Let that statement resonate within you as it has in me these past few months and years.
On Wednesday evenings adults from the Village gather at our apartment for Bible study, which is led by the owners of the Turner Foundation. There are four or five regulars with other occasional attendees. It is by far one of the highlights of my week. In addition to the great wisdom shared by others it’s wonderful because of the characters in the group; it would make a hilarious sitcom. This group also challenges my perceptions and identity as a Christian. Everything about Wednesday nights is paradoxical to me, which certainly contributes to its beauty. Each person in attendance struggles with huge boulders in their life, boulders that church goers would condemn or be appauled at. Yet each person reveals a part of God in their love, hospitality, generosity, and wisdom.
As Paul writes to the Corinthians he redefines their identity not as “Jew, Greek, slave or free, but instead baptized by one Spirit into one body,” (I Corinthians 12:13). Would we be offended if our identity were redefined as neither church-goer, unchurched, drug addict, or legal citizen? But instead be defined as one united body with our brokenness making a whole? If so, maybe we need the truth to offend us more often.
At Christmas time one of my favorite things to do is bake cookies (truthfully that’s one of my favorite things to do anytime). The other day I got out the sprinkles and cookie cutters to produce festive treats. And of course the cookies had to be perfect. But then the arm of the gingerbread man broke, the antlers of the reindeer got smashed, and the wreath didn’t look like much more than an oddly shaped circle. They are still cookies though. From the movie Shrek I often recite the scene of the gingerbread man’s plea to save his gumdrop buttons. Oddly, I connect that to my old view of the church.
As a child I believed that the church was a place for people who had it together and that I had to seem perfect otherwise I would be shunned. Well, I came to know myself and other Christians and realized the falsehood of my belief. Now I even more clearly see how Christians come in all shapes and walks of life. There is no mold to fit in and you are accepted even without your gumdrop buttons. I welcome all to our gathering of “sinners” on Wednesday nights. The Pharisees would mock us, but I know that Jesus is in our midst.
Hey Rebecca, so glad to have you with us. Loved what you had to say about all of ginger bread folks being broken and not perfect… thanks for what you bring to our community on the West Side!
This is really good. Thanks for writing it, Rebecca.