Parts and Whole

A rather antiquated but timeless tradition is making bread. One hundred percent by hand and from scratch. As you begin to make bread you mix together ingredients. First the dry then the wet. A little flour, salt, yeast, etc. Mix well until completely combined. 

At this point, however there is no turning back. It is impossible to separate the things that have become one. As the process continues, several ingredients that would not necessarily be desirable as individual ingredients combine to become something that warms the heart and fills the stomach. Both yours and others. However, when you present this to be eaten it is called bread, not a list of the ingredients. With the transformation that has occurred, bread was made. There is no going backwards and the bread is not identified as flour or as salt.

Jesus talks about us being various parts of the body and coming together as a whole and i think that this is similar to the ingredients being poured into batter to become bread. Each ingredient serves a specific purpose and adds to the dough. There are a lot of some ingredients and less of others. When incorporated truly and completely they are called bread. When we do this as His body we are called a powerful loving force. 

Some ingredients balance out others. Some bring a bright flavor to the more passive flavors. But when combined and allowed to affect each other they cause growth. That is what we want. We want to grow personally, spiritually, in love and in service.

In order for that to happen, however, everyone has to jump in and be willing to get close. And a little messy! Thats my piece!