the body of Christ

I've been encouraged by God manifesting His love through the body of Christ lately. A friend called requesting prayer for her situation- we don't attend the same church but we have the same Savior and I was so thankful that I was just one of many with whom she was able to share her burden.

Another friend, who does attend church with me, found her family facing a trajedy as well. It was encouraging to hear how brothers in Christ were there to comfort and encourage her.

Finally, it was nice to receive an encouraging note from an elder after my skin cancer "scare". Again, it is VERY likely that I'm in clear- one of the fortunate ones- but it was nice to receive this word:

As Pastor Piper says below, this is a gift that He has not only given to you but to all those around you who are watching you, praying for you, and will be beside you and Will every step of the way to remind you of His great goodness and faithfulness in this trial. It is so hard to think of this as a gift. It’s much easier to see this as one of the many reasons why we along with all creation groan under the heaviness of sin’s destructive effect. It’s much easier to despair and allow our faith to wilt like Jonah’s gourd. But this is not befitting a child of the King and an heir of His kingdom. He has given us all things in Christ when Christ is our treasure. What is there to fear? What is there to dread? Is He not able to rescue? Is He not able to console? To comfort? To give extra grace where there is extra need? Will He not draw near to you as you draw near to Him? Is He not called our buckler and shield, a very present help, our Rock, fortress, our Most High God in whom is our refuge and safety? Does He not only promise us that we can lie down and sleep in peace but also give us this example in Christ Jesus, Paul, Peter, and so many others so that our faith would be strengthened? He is not only altogether lovely but He is also altogether greater in all things than what could ever be expressed in word. It will take an eternity to have only gained a glimpse of what angels have been adoring and worshiping since the moment of their creation.

Anyway, the bride of Christ is beautiful.