My husband and I recently experienced an unexpected loss. Our twelve-year-old Shih Tzu passed away suddenly. The weekend before, he was happily playing outside in the spring weather, and by the following week, he was uninterested in food and play. He passed away, and God graciously gave us the time to say goodbye.

For those of you who have pets, you may relate to this loss. Pets can easily become like members of the family. Yet any unexpected loss—whether it be a pet, a loved one, or an expectation unfulfilled—is hard. While we all experience grief differently, the fact is that all humans wrestle with it. But what can make the process healthier is venturing through it with others.

When our Shih Tzu passed away, we received promises of prayers, kindly-worded texts, thoughtful messages in cards, and sweet gifts to show us how much we were cared for and loved. Family and friends gathered around us as we grieved the loss of our sweet companion. They sympathetically listened to our shock and hurt, laughed with us as we reflected on the good times, and shared in our sorrow. Their presence spoke volumes.

A Biblical Look at the Church

While we experienced grief on a different scale with the loss of a beloved pet, this circumstance we found ourselves in still allowed for the body of Christ to come alongside and minister to us. Our Christian family and friends used their spiritual gifts of giving and exhortation to serve us in our need—and what a blessing it was to experience.

When speaking to the church in Corinth, Paul uses the human body as a metaphor to describe the Church, referring to this metaphorical body as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Paul remarks on how the members of the body interact with one another, clarifying the individuality and function of the many members while emphasizing the unity of the body in purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12:24b–26 (ESV), Paul writes, “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

In the verses prior to this passage (1 Corinthians 12:14–23), Paul emphasizes the individual gifts of the various members, likening them to different body parts, like eyes and feet. His point is that we are each given different gifts and ministries, and should not be envious or look down upon others for having different gifts than ourselves. We all need one another to carry out the purpose of the Church—to represent Christ and make disciples.

As members of the Body of Christ, we also have the responsibility to love our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:34–35). That love may look like rejoicing when your sister finds out she is pregnant after praying for a long-awaited miracle. That same love may look like mourning with and supporting another sister when she discovers she is walking the road of infertility. Because we are one body, we the members use our gifts to edify one another and to further the kingdom of God. That is part of being unified.

Being a Member of the Body

It is easy to tell someone what she should do, saying, “be a member of the body!”, but what does that actually look like?

• Determine your spiritual gifts:

  • This is a great starting point for determining how you can best minister to others in the body. What characteristics have others noticed that you excel in? What ministries do you feel inclined toward? Do others notice you shine when teaching? Not only can you ask your local church members and leadership to confirm your gifts, but you can also find spiritual gifts tests online that can help you identify the gifts the Spirit has given you.

• Use them to edify the Church:

  • How can you serve the Body? Can you volunteer to lead a small group with your teaching gifts? Can you participate in the church greeting team with your gift for hospitality? Ask those in church leadership for ideas on how you can use your spiritual gifts—whether in an official capacity or to meet a need in your local church.

There are many ways Christ has equipped His body to serve one another. Do not downplay the gifts God has given you; act when you feel the Spirit prompting you to serve. Do not miss out on the blessing you will receive upon using your spiritual gifts for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Think of ways you can support a fellow Christian—whether in your local church, in your family, or in your friend group. Do you currently know of someone grieving the loss of a loved one? If you have the gift of hospitality, why not offer to participate in a meal train? If you know of someone who is in a season of disappointment, exhort them with words of encouragement. If someone has just lost his/her job, consider using your gift of giving to help them.

As you pray for opportunities and discernment, be ready for God to answer your prayer. Allow Him to use you to bless His body today.

Author Bio:

Leslie Williams writes with a passion for helping women grow in their knowledge of Scripture and confidence in their faith. She teaches online as an adjunct professor at Liberty University and holds an MDiv in Pastoral Counseling. She is currently a PhD student in the Theological Studies program at Liberty Theological Seminary. In her free time, Leslie enjoys reading, running, and meaningful conversations over coffee.

Additional Resources for Serving the Church:

Craving Community | A Bible Study on Friendship		Better Together | Discipleship Guide		Prayers for the Church		Pray Bible Study
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