My "Italian man" and I took a little trip last month to the Hill Country to view the wildflowers and to visit our daughter and her husband. I have lived in Texas for almost thirteen years and have visited the Hill Country annually to view the wildflowers. I have to say that this year was definitely their most glorious year!
Whereas in the past there were mostly bluebonnets and Indian paint brush, this year there was a myriad of varieties. The plentiful rain has brought much reward!
It was a breathtaking experience to see God’s splendor in His creation!
Each species, gifted with their own measure of beauty, stood as one great body.
It seemed as if they instinctively knew that their individuality would be most glorious in concert with their brothers and sisters. The closer I got to them the more obvious their distinctions.
As I gazed on each one I marveled at its uniqueness but surmised that their strength of beauty was most revealed in their humility as they seemed to defer to one another as they danced as one body in the wind.
The only response that seemed appropriate was praise to the creator for enriching my life with such splendor…and then I thought of His body…
Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
My prayer is that those of us in the Body of Christ would bring glory to our creator and reveal His great splendor as we play our individual part as members in this great body of gifting. Oh, that we would humbly think of others more than ourselves, so that the whole can bring Him much honor. In humility there is great beauty! To God be all Glory!
Grace-Works
