1 Corinthians 12:12, English Standard Version

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

One fact, and also a constant joke around the same topic, is my hesitation to go out into the yard or hike around nature after I moved to Ohio, from the city to the country. It sounds silly because the topic is bug bites, yet it is something very personal and connected to the irritation, reaction, and impact they can bring. No kidding, I am the kind of person bugs really like, whether it is my blood or my skin. The worst part is that the itching, swelling, and redness last longer than average. So, in terms of putting myself into danger and harm, I prefer to stay away.

Prefer does not mean I can completely avoid it. Just weeks ago, we were invited to a cookout that was meant to bring unity to the body of Christ. Oh, I could not say no to this invitation. Not only is this the command of the Lord, but it is also the call and desire of the ministries my husband and I serve. Therefore, though it may not compare or seem as significant as Queen Esther’s statement, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16), I said yes to the invitation.

Well, it may have been a very tiny little challenge compared with Queen Esther, but the inspiration that came from that challenge was huge:

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it…”1 Corinthians 12:26, NIV

The next morning, every bite wound would not be quiet but seemed to scream to my nervous system about its level of suffering. All the mosquito bites spoke through their itchiness, yet they could not compare to the irritation from one spider bite on the bottom of my foot. The burning, pain, and itching not only reminded me constantly, but also caused trouble with every step I took. Those little wounds seemed small; however, the discomfort impacted my whole body.

Oh, how true the Word of God is, and I experienced it in a very real way! As I always say, “The Word of God is not complicated; instead, it is very practical. Because the Lord knows that no mankind could understand or believe if He spoke only in His heavenly way” (John 3:12).

Thanks be to God, I shared my discomfort with some sisters in Christ, and they responded with wisdom and knowledge about how to treat the wounds. They also opened up about the wounds they were suffering, and so I knew I was not alone in the attack. We can learn, grow, and mature together, and we can build and stand stronger together. Here I am not talking about bug bites alone, but about the unity of Christ’s family when the enemy comes and attacks.

Remember our Lord Jesus’ prayer: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21, NLT)

Then go from there!