Shaping us into our full stature

Dr Iain Jamieson June 13, 2022 0 3

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Ephesians 4: 7-15 (NRSVA)

7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said,

‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
    he gave gifts to his people.’

9 (When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Sometimes you just got to know who you are.

It’s really simple to look at your life and say things like “I’m just another cog in the wheel” or in the words of Pink Floyd “another brick in the wall”.

Recently, during the pandemic, I was a primary care doctor which, like all healthcare workers meant we worked at the pointy end of the spear against COVID-19 and, for a period, people clapped and banged pots in gratitude. It was humbling and beautiful to be appreciated — if only for a little while.

I’ve never imagined myself as particularly special, certainly no better than anyone else. My heroes are the people who have fought their own demons and won. I’m more Johnny Cash than Cliff Richard…

I was told I was an essential worker, but so were the guys that picked up our bins and the man that put petrol in my car, everyone really.

You are essential — we are all essential and never more so as the body of Christ.

It takes all sorts as my nan from Leicester likes to remind me.

Understanding how truly wonderful you are takes courage because it takes ownership of the responsibility of just how brilliant you are. Look after yourself — you are the body of Christ — you are the miracle.

We are wonderfully and fearfully made. You are in the Communion of Saints, every human there has ever been and every human there will ever be. Created, shining perfect and so much more than just your skin and bones. Your soul goes on forever.

Own it, rejoice in it. You are the only you there will ever be, unique and beautiful and with the potential to change the world. Genuinely: the act of kindness, the conversation that leads to a story that leads to a decision that moves the earth that moves the universe. You are a key note in the great song. Sung by the saints, the full throated hymn of the creator.

PRAYER:

Thank you for giving me me.

Help me to love me as you do

Let me see how essential I am to the great, eternal song

Let me keep singing

Keep me in harmony

Until my song is finally sung

Amen