Appendix... and more

Recently came across this article while browsing the lighthouse community church website for sermons...

http://www.lighthousesouthbay.org/illuminate-blog/a-doctors-thoughts-on-the-appendix-ephesians-41-3/

An excerpt from it: [BOLD and Italics mine]

"However you fit in, and God, in His grace, has given each of us a role, the body must work together; there needs to be unity. “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). So how do we, with our diverse and unique set of spiritual gifts, work together in unity?

• We must be humble: every gift is important; maybe yours is more visible, but realize that it is a gift from God and that you are responsible to use it to edify the body, not flaunt it over others! The pastor can’t be heard without a sound person; the sound equipment can’t be bought without a finance team; the offering can’t be collected without ushers …
• We must be gentle: our spirit and attitude must be mild, we need to show self control; this results from a humble attitude. Sinful people working together will inevitability cause friction! How do you respond?
• We must be patient: when this friction happens, our humility and gentleness will result in patience – when that team member forgets to bring something or is late, how do you react?
• We must bear with one another in love: the first three attitudes all stem from and are seen in a forbearing love for each other. Love for God and one another underlies all that we do. Do we lovingly bear with one another, or do we complain, get bitter, gossip? "

Reflection upon my own life, and just this past year ... how do I respond. More and more I am aware that my responses are not loving, are not humble, are not gentler... nor is my attitude self controlled. A good reminder of this was during last nights SNL meeting, and reflecting upon the year as a whole, our small group interactions as a whole, and the function of SNL as well as our individual parts in it... very humbling experience.

Application:
Hide this verse in my heart.