A Part or Apart . . .

Devotional Christian Poetry

A Part or Apart . . .

A part of a body and

uniquely yourself.

The singular corporate self.

We are BOTH . . .

that's the truth!

A part of something bigger

with our special contribution

making up the whole!

We can't go it alone

even if we want to jump ship.

Going for a ride in a Whale

is not the way forward.

We NEED EACH OTHER.

What can I give or say,

who will listen,

where do I fit?

Being part of a whole,

though both are fractured,

is learning how

to join the dots . . .

Of Humility!

Reflection

This poem is a deliberate play on words that contrast a truth about or relationship WITH aspects of life and people. I talk about relationships WITH because we are one body of Christ as scripture teaches us.

Have you ever considered yourself as being part of a movement?

One of the biggest challenges we face is being accepted and received in the circles we mix in. This also includes acceptance in the families we marry into and the Churches we flow in. It doesn't take too many knockbacks from any individual or group before we start to see ourselves as misfits.

When this comes to our relationship with God, often we struggle with the issues of our life we are working through that stops us from receiving or accepting God's love for us. We feel unworthy and put all kinds of barriers of yes buts between us and God.

The following verse reveals the heart of God towards every one of us. We are adopted and as the NKJV states, we are accepted IN THE BELOVED!

Ephesians 1:5-6 TPT

For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!

Ultimately we need to develop an honest opinion and an inner security about ourselves. I believe the knockbacks drive us into the heart of God to find our security in Him. The sooner we develop this security and find our identity IN CHRIST the better we are for it.

Something I want to highlight to you is the wonderful English language we use. The word part of means, that which involves a person in a particular role or situation, probably we could use the word included here. When I use the word apart this as an adjective means separation from. We are part of the whole body of Christ and scripture uses very descriptive words and examples to highlight and demonstrate this. In Romans 11:19 + 23 the horticultural term grafted in is used.

If the words, apart are used, we could substitute the words not included. I know that this could be viewed as being pedantic but I wanted to make the distinction.

Questions

# - Do you know in your heart that you are accepted in the Beloved or is this just information?

# - Have you experienced being apart from your group because of a difference in doctrine or experience with your faith? How do you handle this emotionally?

# - When meeting someone who has different revelations about the faith you share, how readily do you accept their differences? Do you become accepting, opinionated or judgemental about this and possibly place them in the "apart" box?

When it comes to marriage we marry our wife or husband and inherit the relatives. Unfortunately, we may not be accepted as an acceptable suit in other family members' eyes. This can lead to a future of conflict and constant distracting discussions.

Rather than it becoming a point of division, prove to all the family your love and commitment to each other regardless of their opinions.