A while back on a Sunday morning, I sat in church listening to the words emanating from the lips of our remarkable pastor. His well-planned messages always flow with continuity, and he never seems to become distracted. However, this day, I noticed our preacher stumbled on his words and peered to one side of the sanctuary.
Silence reigned in the room as he moved back to the podium and quietly said, “Please remain in your seats. If there are any medical personnel present, please make your way back to the door on the north side of the sanctuary.”
From my vantage point, I couldn’t see what was happening, but two women I knew to be nurses, left their pews and headed to the rear of the church. Then our pastor bowed his head. “Let’s pray. Dear Lord, please be with our brother and bring him healing.”
Later I discovered a man in our congregation, a precious man of God, had passed out and not regained consciousness. Soon the paramedics took him in the ambulance. It wasn’t until the next day we learned he’d stayed overnight in the hospital, but after examination, the doctors couldn’t find cause for the problem. I’d like to think it had something to do with our prayers.
But finally I’ll get to the point of this post. The scripture 1 Corinthians 12:26 came alive for me a couple of days later at the Wednesday night service. My husband and I walked into church and right in front of us was our brother who’d taken ill and his wife. My heart soared with joy and I ran to hug him, as if a close family member or best friend had recovered from a severe illness.
Verse 26 says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I whole heartedly rejoiced at our brother’s quick recuperation.