Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the church is the body of Christ, comparing the church's individual members with the members of the human body. I've always heard this as a metaphor for how we serve together. Hands and feet of Jesus, working and moving us together. Eyes and ears, seeing the needs around us, and hearing the cries of our neighbors so we can reach out to them better. However, my perspective on this metaphor has changed in recent years, and I have a sneaking suspicion that change has something to do with getting older.

I often opt for stairs instead of elevators and find my hand on the handrail, helping out my knees after a few flights. I've learned the pain in my right shoulder when I reach high probably isn't go away, so my left arm is ready to make those reaches. And then there are those times when I get on the floor to play with my granddaughter. I'm careful to lower myself down in such a way that I'm confident I can get back up again!

For me, the metaphor has become less about how we work together and more about how we care for one another, and I think that's a big part of Paul's intention here. After all, in 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, Paul writes, "God has so composed the body . . . that the members may have the same care for one another." We can work with our individual talents and gifts, but without a care for one another, we're still not serving as the body of Christ.