November 16, 2013

Hi to All of You,
I’m back in my sunroom with Jim and Kathy. They spoiled me in all kinds of ways and now I am having to get used to being alone again and doing for myself. It’s ok though, I have my chair as a front row seat watching the squirrels and other wild life. I am attaching a picture I took yesterday of a fine fellow who came to visit my back yard. He is part of the beauty of fall.

In my backyard.

My back yard is solid gold. The leaves need to be raked but the six inches of sunny yellow are so cheery I can’t worry about raking. God has made unbelievable beauty in every season so my time with Jesus is praising Him for that. I praise Him too for the faithful help I continue to get from His people, the body of Christ. His love brings my daughter-in-law all the way from Arizona, driving to W. VA., and then driving me home. It brings folks to take me to church, to the grocery, the rec center, or to help with my yard, my housecleaning, or my laundry. If it weren’t for them, I couldn’t stay here in the home I love. These faithful people are evidence of Christ’s love in His body.

I sit here and my fertile imagination gets to work again. I imagine the body of Jesus Christ. I wish I could draw on the computer what I see in my mind. Since I don’t know how, I have to try to draw a picture with words.

On a blank sky is a huge figure of a person- kind of like a gingerbread man. My picture shows this body made up of millions of people; moving busily so that the entire body is in constant motion. The edges of the body are rough and wiggling too. There are arms and legs waving about, even whole torsos, struggling to get in or out. Some of these are people who are so down and discouraged that they are trying to escape. Holding tight to their feet and legs are the faithful who cling and hold them tight because God is not willing to lose even one. Also on these rough edges are legs and feet waving about as they are diving into the body headfirst. These are the many who come to Christ every day and can’t wait to get in there and be a working cell. Right alongside of those waving legs and feet are whole bodies tentatively dipping one foot into the whole, wavering a bit, but slowly approaching a hole that is wide open for their entry.

Inside is all the wonderful family of Christ. I picture Billy Graham. He must be high up in the head or maybe he is in the very heart. Wherever he is, he is working hard and joyously. Alongside him is one of my favorites, Joe Stowell. Mother Teresa is up there too. They are those people who have spent their lives serving God in a great way. Up and down the spine are the many pastors, elders, and other leaders who shepherd the flock and keep the body upright.

In the hands are 20% of all the cells. They are the men and women who are the care givers. They visit the elderly and the sick. They cook the meals, clean up, and serve. They run errands and drive people to the doctor. They serve the needy, clothe them, and give them shelter. They could be the backbone, but I think they are the hands because they are always working and doing.  In the feet are the missionaries, taking the steps that are unknown. They are courageous, afraid, but always going forward, keeping the body in motion.

I picture the teachers. They are at the very heart. They keep the body fed and healthy and full. Every part is necessary, wherever it is. No matter what part you are in, you are IMPORTANT. No part is less important than another even if it is part of the clean-up committee. I see myself as probably in the pancreas. I do something necessary but I am not sure what it is. I am probably in the process of moving to the appendix- expendable one of these days, but still there and somehow useful. I like to hope that maybe I am a small cell in the vocal cords. Do you suppose I could be there?

Around my whole body vision is a clear firm wrapping of saran wrap holding it all together. This wrapping is semi-permeable. It lets people in easily but no one is allowed out. This is the Holy Spirit holding us firmly in place in the body of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is wrapping us all in a cocoon of love and joy.

This is my crazy vision of the body of Christ. Where are you in there? If you are not in there, entry is easy and the door is open. Just admit that you are imperfect, and therefore not worthy to be in the presence of a perfect God. You are someone who has done wrong things in the past and continues to do so every day. You need Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to take away your sins. Admit that you need Him every day because you can’t be good enough to do it on your own. Ask Christ to be in your life and in your heart so you can be a part of this wonderful body. Be filled with His spirit. It is fun in there. Believe me, you will find a life with purpose and full of endless love, joy and peace.

I love you all. Happy Thanksgiving
Irma Jane Fritz-Zager