The Dream Team 梦幻组合

[Dexu Xia]

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  Romans 12:5

Together, friends Melanie and Trevor have hiked miles of mountain trails. Yet neither would be able to do so without the other. Melanie, born with spina bifida, uses a wheelchair. Trevor lost his sight to glaucoma. The duo realized they were one another’s perfect complement for enjoying the Colorado wilderness: As he walks the trails, Trevor carries Melanie on his back; meanwhile, she gives him verbal directions. They describe themselves as a “dream team.”

Paul describes believers in Jesus—the body of Christ—as a similar kind of “dream team.” He urged the Romans to recognize how their individual giftings benefited the larger group. Just as our physical bodies are made up of many parts, each with different functions, together we “form one [spiritual] body” and our gifts are meant to be given in service for the collective benefit of the church (Romans 12:5). Whether in the form of giving, encouraging, or teaching, or any of the other spiritual gifts, Paul instructs us to view ourselves and our gifts as belonging to all the others (vv. 5–8).

Melanie and Trevor aren’t focused on what they lack, nor are they prideful of what they do have in comparison to the other. Rather, they cheerfully give of their “gifts” in service to the other, recognizing how much they’re both bettered by their collaboration. May we too freely combine the gifts God has given us with those of our fellow members—for the sake of Christ. 

What gifts and abilities has God given you? How can you share them with those around you?

Father, please show me how I can use my resources and abilities to benefit the body of Christ.

我们这许多人，在基督里成为一身，互相联络作肢体，也是如此。—罗马书12章5节

梅兰妮和特雷弗这对朋友一同徒步走了数公里的山路。然而，若没有彼此合作，两人都无法独自完成路程。梅兰妮有先天性脊柱裂，必须靠轮椅代步；特雷弗则因青光眼而失明。两人都明白自己能补足对方的缺憾，是共享科罗拉多州野外风光的完美搭档。特雷弗背着梅兰妮走这条山路，而梅兰妮则为特雷弗指引方向。他们自称是“梦幻组合”。

保罗对众信徒（即基督的身体）的描述也类似一种“梦幻组合”。他劝罗马教会的信徒，要明白他们个人的恩赐能使更大的群体得着益处。我们的身体是由许多肢体组合而成，每个肢体都有不同的功用，但合在一起就成为一个属灵的身体，我们所得的恩赐是为着服事，是要让教会众人都得着益处（罗马书12章5节）。不论是给予、勉励、教导或其他属灵的恩赐，保罗吩咐我们要把自己和自己的恩赐，看作是属于所有其他人的（5-8节）。

梅兰妮和特雷弗并不专注于自己所缺少的，也不以自己能拥有对方所缺少的而心高气傲。他们反而乐意献出自己的“恩赐”彼此服事，因为他们明白合作能创造双赢。愿我们也能为着基督的缘故，将上帝赐给我们的恩赐，毫无保留地与众弟兄姐妹的恩赐结合在一起。

上帝赐给你哪些恩赐和能力？
你如何与身边的人分享这些恩赐和能力？

天父，帮助我明白如何运用我所拥有的资源和能力，使基督的身体得着益处。