Romans 12:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Romans 12:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 12I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Verse 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect. Verse 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Verse 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, Verse 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Verse 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; Verse 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; Verse 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Devotion
In her book Breathing Space, Heidi Neumark tells how she built a bridge in order to shorten an elderly woman’s long daily walk through the countryside. Feeling satisfied and proud, she presented the woman with her accomplishment; however, instead of thanking Neumark and showing appreciation for the bridge, the woman explained that her journey took her to neighbors – neighbors she cared about and wouldn’t see if she didn’t make that longer walk. She told Heidi that “love doesn’t take shortcuts.” She knew she was called to serve her neighbor and she did so with all she had.
Her connection and commitment to her neighbors is not unlike God’s connection with us. Perhaps there was an easier way than condemning Jesus, God’s own Son, to die on a cross and be raised so that we might live. But “love doesn’t take shortcuts.” It may be easier to give money to the poor, hungry or homeless. But when was the last time you shared your time, your table or your home?
Prayer
Lord, help us to see that we are all a part of the same Body and to share our unique God-given gifts with all those in need. Amen.