Rumination Journal

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58     There are few things more discouraging than feeling that our efforts have been wasted. We invest time, energy, prayer, and love into something, hoping that it will make a difference. Yet sometimes the results are difficult to see. A ministry struggles. A person we have tried to help continues to struggle. A prayer seems unanswered. A good effort appears to accomplish very little. In moments like these, we may quietly wonder whether what we are doing really matters. Paul offers a powerful answer: “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” These words become even more meaningful when we consider where they appear. First Corinthians 15 is Paul’s great discussion of the resurrection. He proclaims that Christ has been raised from the dead and that those who belong to Christ will also share in resurre...

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” — Romans 12:10-11   It is possible to serve without love. We can fulfill responsibilities because they are expected of us, complete tasks simply because they need to be done, or continue participating in a ministry long after our hearts have become disconnected from the reason we began. Outwardly, we may still appear faithful. Inwardly, however, service can slowly become little more than routine. Paul invites us to something deeper. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” Christian service is not simply about accomplishing tasks. It is about loving people. The work matters, but so do the people for whom the work is being done. In fact, the people are often the reason the work matters in the first place. The word devoted suggests more than casual concern. It describes an affection that resembles the bonds of a lo...

“The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12-14     The human body is an extraordinary example of unity and diversity. It has many parts, each different from the others, yet each contributes to the life of the whole. Eyes see, ears hear, hands grasp, feet carry, lungs breathe, and the heart pumps blood throughout the body. No single part performs every function, and no healthy body depends upon only one part. Paul uses this familiar image to help us understand the Church. “The body does not consist of one part, but of many.” Christians differ in personality, background, experience, ability, perspective, and calling. Yet through the Holy Spirit, we belong to one body in Christ...

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.’” — Exodus 31:1-5     When we think about people being called and equipped by God, certain images may come immediately to mind. We may think of Moses leading Israel, Isaiah speaking as a prophet, David writing psalms, or the apostles proclaiming the gospel. But tucked within the book of Exodus is the story of a man named Bezalel, whose calling looked very different. God called him to create. Israel was preparing to construct the tabernacle, the sacred place where the people would worship God during their journey through the wilderness. The work required more than religious leadership. It required design, craftsmans...

“There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” — Corinthians 12:4-7     We live in a culture that often encourages us to think about our abilities in terms of personal accomplishment. What can I achieve? How can I distinguish myself? How can my abilities help me succeed? There is nothing wrong with developing our gifts or taking satisfaction in work done well. But when Paul writes about spiritual gifts, he directs our attention away from ourselves and toward something larger. “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.” Once again, Scripture celebrates diversity. God does not create identical disciples. The Holy Spirit works through different personalities, abilities, experiences, and forms of service. Some people communicate easily in front of a group. Othe...

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” — Romans 12:4-8     God never intended the Christian life to be lived alone. When we place our faith in Christ, we become part of something larger than ourselves. Paul describes that community with one of the most beautiful images in the New Testament: the human body. A body has many different parts, and each has a different function. Yet all those parts belong together and contribute to the life and health of the whole. The same is ...