Have you noticed how caring for people expands our capacity to dream? When we start to love others, we cannot help but dream beyond ourselves. Suddenly it’s not all about “me” or what’s in it for me, but about “us” and the benefit of more people.
Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Each one of us has gifts, talents, and callings that can benefit others, not just ourselves. There is a duty that we have to edify others and grow in love. Those in leadership positions can equip people, allowing for the movement of God’s own dream that His Church matures and we get know more of Him and become more like Him.
There is something good– something full and whole– that happens when God’s children do things together. In Ephesians 3:16-19, we find Paul saying this: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
When we edify and love each other, we start deepening our experience of the love of Christ in our lives. We realize that “no man is an island” (or a lone ranger). Just as Christ gave Himself up to save us and give us the reality of His Father’s dreams, so too can we give ourselves to love others and dream with them for their lives. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The way of love is sacrificial. It is selfless. It is good.
It should be our prayer to know this “FULLNESS of God” by loving others.
We can ask ourselves these questions:
- What am I doing with the gifts God gave me?
- Am I serving others? Loving others?
- Am I dreaming with others and for others, not just for myself?
- Am I allowing myself to love and be loved?
Let us remind ourselves that it is wonderful to be united with others in this journey of faith. As members of God’s family, let us desire to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
