Guest Posting: Limping Along: Why We Can’t Let Half of Christ’s Body Atrophy

All the time I challenge people—and especially God’s daughters—to discover who God made them to be and to live out what He created them to do.

All of us—occasionally or as a way of life–settle for less than God’s best for us.  Sadly, we women are often encouraged to settle for less, or readily choose to, robbing ourselves and the Body of Christ of the best contribution we have to make.

The mission Christ gave us requires what we have to offer.

So click on over to Jenny Rae Armstrong’s blog to read Limping Along: Why We Can’t Let Half Christ’s Body Atrophy.  I’m so grateful to be guesting with Jenny.

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Limping Along

Kamari limped along, putting all his weight on the good leg, dragging the atrophied right leg painfully up the rocky hill.

Most often he hardly noticed the weak leg—he had learned to do most of his activities without it.  But on days when he needed to make a difficult journey or attempt a daunting task, he sorely missed the strength and capacity the other leg had provided.

He rued the decision not to do the recommended rehab after his accident.  If only the doctors had been clearer in the probable degeneration.   If only there were some potential for regeneration.

Kamari’s dilemma is too frequently mirrored in the Body of Christ.

One strong leg is often trying to carry the whole weight of the work of the Church.   This amazing body is entering into the spiritual battle wearing only partial armor.   Kingdom building is hampered by the dangling weak pillar—the atrophied leg.

But that was not God’s plan.  He set forth His plan in Genesis 1:27,28:
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
He never intended for the man to carry the full weight.  He said it was not good for him to be alone.  Rather God provided a strong second leg—an ezer—as a partner in stewarding the earth.

In the same way, the Body of Christ needs two strong legs to stride forth to accomplish the task He has given us—to seek and save the lost, to develop His children into mature disciples, to touch the world with His love and salvation.

We will only accomplish our assignment when sons and daughters join together, each bringing strengths and energy into the Kingdom enterprise.

But it’s not too late.  We need open minds and open doors to encourage and enable believing women to follow their Lord and their callings into this holy endeavor.  As they contribute to the Kingdom with their voices and from their gifts and strengths, the atrophied leg will be revived and the Church of Jesus Christ will move forward with new vitality and effectiveness.

c2011 Judy Douglass

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