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So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:5 NKJV)

Not long ago, I had an annoying bug bite on the tip of my index finger. I did my best to ignore it, but in the middle of the night, I awoke with an intense itch. The sense of satisfaction was indescribable as my other hand reached over and scratched the insatiable itch that had caused so much misery.

I know that we’re not supposed to scratch bug bites, but the point that I’m making is that my body did what it could to help itself, and that’s exactly how a body is supposed to behave when there’s a problem. Were there options? Of course, there were. Rather than meet the need, my body could have reasoned about the problem: “Why did you get bit to begin with? Were you doing something that you shouldn’t have?” My body could have also poked fun at the problem: “How careless. I’m actually glad you got bit!” Or my body could have chosen to ignore the problem: “If I just wait long enough, it’ll go away on its own.”

A bug bite is one thing, but what about a serious cut? The body can’t afford to reason with, poke fun of, or ignore such a serious problem. It needs to stop the bleeding or else it won’t be alive for very long. All the more so when it comes to the church as the body of Christ. There’s no substitute for rising up and meeting a fellow member’s need. I’m convinced that we frequently rub shoulders with people who are really hurting—there’s a cut, a fracture, a dislocation that needs our attention. The next time you find yourself in the house of God, ask yourself: “Who’s next to me? How can I identify and help meet their needs?” By doing so, we are behaving the way the body is supposed to as we fulfill the law of Christ.

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NLT)

DIG - What additional insights can you draw from Romans 12 about body behavior?

DISCOVER - What gifts and abilities has God given you to help others?

DISPLAY - How will you be more proactive in helping others in the body?