Atrophy

Atrophy

Since the inception of Lifequest, I have found that I have been a real sluggard in the exercising department. Just recently I returned to the gym to discover just how out of shape I had become. Although I could give you some of my crazy workout regimens of the past years just to impress you…naw…won’t do that. I have been an avid gym rat for the last 20 years. To my amazement, I realized after a few short visits how much better I feel. I am not as tired as I was, I am hungry for healthier food, and my Arnold body is coming back…well a least 2 of the last statements are true.

Atrophy is a word used to describe a body part that is wasting away. The causes are poor circulation, poor nutrition, and a lack of exercise. I have noticed in my absences of working out that I was encountering atrophy in different parts of my body. My joints were starting to ache, and when I consumed anything unhealthy (especially in the sugar area), I would become very fatigued. For those who say that 50 is the new 40: that statement made me realize that I felt more like 50 was the new 60! (You might be wondering what the method to the madness is that I am rambling on about!)

Our passion in LifeQuest is to see a Jesus-centered people/movement. Not that we have mastered anything! However, being a Jesus-centered people/movement means that we have a passion for seeing churches planted and people empowered. I question why the church here in the west is in a state of atrophy. The body is just wasting away! It may be due to improper nutrition, or maybe just a lack of exercise overall! I find it interesting in Paul’s writings how his way of handling the churches’ problems are so different than the way we handle them today. In Corinth we see an array of church dysfunction. All kinds of crazy and wild things were happening! Corinth was alive with spiritual gifts with uses and abuses.

Thank God that Paul wasn’t an alarmist. He was confident that even in its dysfunction that it was important not to shame the church, but rather further empower it. I am not making excuses for sin or dysfunction, for they are a present reality. However, Paul laid down some crucial foundation to insure that the church was empowered to be released to overcome atrophy. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:1-6:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

Notice Paul’s words “it is the same God who works all in all”. Paul had confidence and faith in the ever-present Holy Spirit to impart life to the body. When people discover that church is more than listening to sermons, tithing, working in children’s church, etc. (you fill in the rest), a synergy of life comes to God’s people.

Gifts- a grace-filled gift is given by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling Charisma. Each member of His body has received these gifts to exercise them on behalf of building up His body.

Ministries- Paul uses a word here that we are not unfamiliar with. It is the word “diaknois” where we get the word “servant” or “waiter” .This is the same word that was used in Acts 6 regarding the deacons. Paul tells the church that gifts and ministries flow in proper circulation when they work in unison to serve each other. As Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many”.

Activities- another thought-provoking word. This word is translated as energy. When God’s people discover their gifts and ministries, an amazing energy flows into the body. Church then becomes more than what we do on Sundays; church becomes a people empowered to live out the mission.

In an age of testing, strength finders, spiritual gifts assessments, programs, and classes that enable people to further explore their ministries, maybe we should just let the Holy Spirit do His thing in a simple, organic way. We never see Paul telling the churches we need special classes to help people discover their spiritual gifts. So how does this happen? Steps, right? How-to’s? Gifts, ministries, and activities are a manifestation of His love. As our human bodies cry for exercise and movement, even so Jesus’ body is asking, “Isn’t there more to my existence?”

Peace,
Mike