I finished my first semester of seminary last month and am still reflecting on all I learned. For a Bible nerd like myself, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I enjoyed access to a well-stocked library, study rooms free of distraction, and rich conversation with professors and classmates. I learned so much in the classroom, but also took every opportunity to get to know the people around me. At every turn, whether it was in chapel or in a conversation with someone in the library, I was challenged and encouraged.

One of the biggest takeaways from my New Testament class had to do with what my professor called ‘commonality’. He used the analogy of a dry stone wall to explain what the body of Christ should look like. It is not like a brick wall, with every brick the same, held in place by mortar. No, the body of Christ is like the dry stone wall pictured above. Each stone is a different size but each one is fitted perfectly, depending on each other for the integrity and strength of the wall. Each stone benefits from the other.

It’s very tempting to see the Christian life through an individual lens, especially those of who live in the West. It can sometimes be all about ‘me and Jesus’. We not only think we can grow in isolation from other believers, but we secretly think that those who have less prominent gifts or those who are weak are not valuable. What could we learn from them? But if my professor’s analogy is true, then each stone in the wall is necessary. Every believer, no matter their strengths or weaknesses, no matter their stature or gifts, is necessary. It’s not ‘me and Jesus’ – it’s ‘we and Jesus’. In Christ, we share a blood-bought and Spirit-wrought commonality. We cannot grow apart from the body of Christ. Each member benefits from each other.

Paul knew this and practiced this. Even though he was an apostle, a great leader of the church who endured much suffering and experienced ecstatic visions, he understood the commonality he shared with other believers. He never discounted them or practiced his faith in isolation from them. In Romans 1:11-12 he says, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Paul the apostle wished to be encouraged by the faith of the Roman believers whom he had never seen. And to Philemon Paul says, “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” (Philemon 1:7)

Thinking about this, it reminds me of a man who works at our church. He is not a pastor. He works on the facilities staff. That means he sets up classroom spaces and does the hidden but necessary work of keeping the building looking clean and functioning properly. I wish I knew his name, but I can’t forget his friendly face last week when I walked into the building. His greeting was warm and kind and made me feel welcome. I know I’ve seen him many times over the years, and every time his greetings encourage me. His kindness and welcoming spirit is a reflection of the divine hospitality of our heavenly Father. And it encourages and challenges me to extend kindness to others, no matter who they are. God has obviously blessed him with this kind disposition and I need his example in order for me to grow.

The next time you’re tempted to discount someone else in the body of Christ, stop and think about how their gifts can encourage and challenge you.

Thanks for catching up with me! I’ll be writing more about what I’ve learned this first semester in seminary. If you’d like to be notified when I write something new, you can enter your email address below.