By Macy Froetschner
As I reflect on Ephesians 4, I am humbled by the beauty of Christ’s Church. Paul paints an image of one body, intricately connected, with Christ as the head. This body is held together by God’s perfect grace which then calls Christians to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling 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).
Over the course of this last year, I have been burdened with various change, uncertainty, and health concerns. In times of trouble, it is easy to close yourself off and deny support. The devil wants us to feel isolated and dejected; he knows that by forcing you to bear your burdens alone you will eventually buckle under the pressure, like a skyscraper with a weak foundation.
Our Lord did not create us to be alone. In fact, the only part of God’s creation that He designated as “not good” was man’s loneliness. In a fallen world, it is resoundingly true that man should not be alone. God knows our weakness to sin, the burden of our flesh, and the temptations of this world. He knows these things because He Himself took on our flesh so that He might redeem us through His death and win for us eternal life. When we are raised with Him our bodies will know true peace and perfection. Until that joyful day we must bear our burdens, but we do not bear them alone. Christ has instituted His Church so that Christians may use their unique gifts and distinct vocations to joyfully bear the burdens of others. This bearing of burdens alleviates the thorns of this world and allows Christians to be 4 Life in their day to day lives.
Trials are truly a gift because they bring us closer to each other as we bear one another’s burdens in joy and ultimately draw us close to the Father who lovingly provides for us as His dear children. The world will never offer us true peace, but God gives us His peace through His bountiful Word and Sacraments. Through these means we are also drawn closer together as we confess one faith, one baptism, and partake in a unified feast of Christ’s very own body and blood. Through the communion of the Church, we are fortified against the attacks of the devil and deny the lie that we were made to be alone.