It has been slightly over a year since we began our journey of faith, and much has transpired during this time. We were presented with the opportunity to take part in two kickstart events in New Brunswick, Canada. Additionally, God graciously provided us with a place to reside there throughout the winter—an uncomplicated summer cottage, modest in comfort yet practical in its convenience.
We also discovered the significance of the body and the value of understanding our calling. Why did God call us? What role and purpose do we have? Where do we fit in as a part of His body?
This is really important. In the Bible, when God called prophets or judges, they knew their purpose because they asked and were told. This is evident throughout the scriptures. If we’re like parts of a body, shouldn’t we also understand our role and function within that body? Why God called us?
A body relies on all its parts; without them, it can become sick, impaired, or even cease to function. But why did God create the body and what purpose does it serve? In Ephesians 3:10, Paul says: so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This raises numerous questions for me. Later on, Paul expresses his desire for us to truly understand the love of Christ and to be filled with the fullness of God, not just learn about it. He emphasizes unity and supporting each other. Paul also discusses the ministries given to nurture the body until we achieve unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, ultimately reaching maturity.
I’m quite practical, and I’m striving to grasp what this concept looks like in real life. From my perspective, the purpose of the church is to reveal God’s wisdom to celestial beings through our daily actions. To achieve this, we need to live our transformed lives with humility, gentleness, patience, and a willingness to support one another with love. Our aim should be to uphold the unity of the Spirit and promote peace among us. In doing so, we reflect God’s wisdom and purpose to the heavenly realm.
We need to avoid living like those who don’t follow God, in the pointless ways of thinking. This means putting an end to behaviors driven by sensuality, greed, impurity, and deceptive desires. We also need to steer clear of falsehoods, bitterness, and anger.
Strive to do what’s right and lead a life of holiness.
The church fulfills its purpose through the way we treat one another and willingly give ourselves to each other.
Furthermore, understanding our specific roles as appointed by God (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers) allows us to empower fellow believers for the task of ministry. This contributes to the growth of the body of Christ, leading towards the achievement of unified faith and a deeper knowledge of the Son of God. This journey brings us to mature adulthood, reaching the full measure of Christ’s character.
As I understand it, as we progress and mature in our relationship with God, specific qualities will naturally develop within us. These qualities aren’t intended for the purpose of establishing our personal “ministry.” Instead, they are meant to equip fellow believers, facilitating our growth and transformation to become more Christ-like. Each of these traits is owned by Christ, who embodies the essence of these ministries.
So, imagine a brother who possesses exceptional skills in evangelism. Could he utilize his talent to create YouTube videos and amass a large following? The answer is no. Instead, his gift is intended to equip those who might lack proficiency in that area, just as is the case with all other ministries.
Paul also mentions that when a disciple reaches maturity, they won’t be swayed by every passing belief or teaching.
In any case, I simply wanted to share what God has been revealing to me.
Furthermore, God has continuously performed one miracle after another in our lives. We’ve established a connection with the local church, and we are genuinely appreciative of their warm reception. Our fellow brothers and sisters share our goals and aspirations. Just by being around them, we’ve gained valuable insights. We make every effort to seize opportunities to positively impact people’s lives.
The world and people’s hearts are burdened by darkness, but we aspire to shine as a beacon of light. Remarkably, God led us to an apartment and provided all the furnishings, creating a perfect living space for us. This apartment is conveniently close to a sister who had been praying for years to find someone for ministerial fellowship. Our children have made numerous friends. We’re experiencing blessings like never before, and there’s so much to share that words might fall short.
But I must confess, I still grapple with challenges.
We’ve been journeying for quite a while, and all of these blessings—the apartment, furniture, my children’s friends, the church community, and more—
I feel apprehensive about the day when we’ll have to depart and leave it all behind.
So, until that time comes, I am continuing to seek God.
Philippe