Bodyworks
7 February 08
‘The church is like a body. If the whole body suffers and is wounded, then the body will die. The body needs healthy parts to look after the suffering parts. However, if the healthy parts focus on themselves, they get diseased – just like in the human body, when healthy cells reproduce to form cancers and leprosy.’ Mike B
There are two common reactions to suffering. One is guilt that someone else is suffering and we’re not, and one is a determination not to think about it because it’s too upsetting. Both are wrong. We all have troubles in our lives, and God decides what happens to each of us – we don’t have control over the big events in life any more than we have control over the weather. That means that we can neither feel guilty nor smug.
What we can do is make sure that, when we do have an easier life, we share our blessings with those who aren’t having such an easy time. For those of us in the UK, that means we have freedom, a good education, leisure time and pocket money. There are lots of things we can do with those blessings to help the Persecuted Church. We can use our free time to write letters to those who are suffering; we can set aside some of our money to feed and clothe those who don’t have enough shelter or food; we can use our education to learn about what happens to people in different parts of the world because they believe in Jesus; and we can use our freedom of speech to talk about these things with other people. And anyone, anywhere, can pray.
What action will you take?
Have a look at our takeaway section if you want ideas on how you might get involved.