This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am Connected! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 2:14-15 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,…
We often talk about finding “our people.” We look for people who understand us, share our interests, make us laugh, and see the world the way we do. There is nothing wrong with having close friendships. But the Church is something bigger than finding people we naturally connect with.
In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us that Christ has done something remarkable. He has taken people who were separated from one another and “has made us both one” (Ephesians 2:14). Our connection to one another does not begin with what we have in common. It begins with Christ.
That changes the way we look at the people around us.
The people sitting next to you at church may not be people you would naturally choose as your friends. They may be older or younger. They may have different interests, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. You may have very little in common with some of them. You may even find some of them difficult to understand.
But if Christ has brought them near to God, they are part of your family too.
Romans 12:5 says, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Notice those last words. We are not simply members of the same organization. We are members of one another.
That means Christian community carries a responsibility. We are called to love, serve, encourage, forgive, and care for one another because Christ has joined us together.
This can be difficult. Sometimes we are tempted to treat church like a restaurant. If we don’t like the people, the music, the style, the pastor, or the atmosphere, we simply look for another place that suits us better. Again, there are times when God may lead us to a different congregation. But we should be careful about making personal preference the measure of Christian community.
The Church is not primarily about finding people who fit me. It is about being part of the people Christ has brought together.
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Notice the words “bear with.” That assumes that sometimes people will be difficult. Christian community isn’t always easy. But that is precisely where the grace of Christ becomes visible. We learn to love people because Christ first loved us.
So look around you today. Who has God placed in your life? Who might need your patience? Who needs encouragement? Who might feel like an outsider? Who have you avoided simply because you don’t naturally connect?
You don’t have to become best friends with everyone. But you can choose to see them differently.
Christ brought them near.
Christ made them His own.
And Christ has placed them among His people.
They may not be people you would have chosen, but they are people Christ has chosen to bring together with you.
Reflect: Is there someone in my church or Christian community I have avoided because we don’t naturally connect? How might Christ be calling me to love or serve that person?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing me into Your family and for surrounding me with Your people. Forgive me when I judge others by my preferences or avoid people who are different from me. Help me remember that You are the One who brings us together. Give me patience to bear with others, humility to receive their care, and love to serve them. Use me to help make Your Church a place where others know they belong. Amen.