New Every Morning
When I awoke this morning and opened the window shades, I was met with a glorious sight. The sky was blue, the sunrise was creating a warm glow of yellow and salmon, and freshly-fallen snow was glittering on the trees. I was met with a new day, fresh and full of promise. Immediately the phrase, “the sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning,” came to mind and I was drawn to my piano to worship. What a privilege it is to be met by God in the morning – even before my first cup of coffee! Scriptures began to flow in my mind: “When I awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:18b); “His compassions never fail; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22b-23a); “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)
My morning continued. I received a Facebook message, asking if I was available for a phone call. After the phone call, coffee & toast, I carried out my morning routine of Bible reading and journaling. I knew today was the day I needed to write this reflection and had something in mind. While vacuuming the kitchen floor, however, my thoughts were led in a different direction. I thought back to my February 1 reflection about how God brings people together to function as a body and thought, “What body part am I called to be?” We long to know how we fit into a larger whole. We find comfort in knowing our role. On the other hand, we don’t want to be pigeonholed, limited to doing the same thing. “If I’m part of a body, what does this look like?”
That’s when the Spirit gently whispered, “Don’t put yourself in a box. I have something new for you every morning.” More Scripture flowed into my remembrance: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17b); “Keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25b); “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) I began to realize that walking in obedience and living in community with the Body of Christ is not a life of being pigeonholed into one role. Rather, I have the privilege of asking God each day, “What body part do You need me to be?”
As the Body of Christ, we share one Spirit and are connected to one head, Christ, but all the other roles are interchangeable. On some occasions, I may be called to be the liver, filtering out what is toxic in the body. At other times, I may be the muscle, bearing another’s burden, or the tendon, keeping two members of the body connected. Perhaps at moments, I will be the ear, hearing a message that is needed for the body, or the feet, putting into action the message that was received. At times, I may be the soul, the part of the body that absorbs life experiences and brings perspective.
What an adventure! This “keeping in step” life is not monotonous. I will never be the expert in any area, the definitive “kneecap” for the body at all times and in all circumstances. Rather, I remain humble before the Father, asking, “What would you have me be today?” and realizing that, through Him and His strength, I can do everything He asks of me. Even what is unfamiliar. His mercies are, indeed, new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
