Winter, by Keven Newsome

The Body of Christ

While it becomes increasingly clear that Winter has the gift of prophecy, something she finds both frightening and drawn to, Keven Newsome gently makes it clear that this is only one gift given to people in the Body of Christ. You might say that her roommate, Summer, has the gift of encouragement. Summer is this peppy little gal who surrounds herself with pink, with teddy bears and flowers, the exact opposite of Winter in most ways. Yet she becomes a true friend. Not many will stand by you even when you are so different from them. Often we gravitate towards others like ourselves. Summer, however, makes a point of sticking with Winter no matter what. It's this attitude that is an encouragement to Winter and helps her through.

Then there is Kaci, the resident assistant for the floor, who also becomes a close friend. She, has yet another gift, and is expresses other gifts as well. Of course if we are all part of the same Body we are going to have similarities. Just as the different organs in our bodies need to be compatible in order for us to live, so it is with the Body of Christ. We must exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23) as well as the gift we may be blessed with. And all of this must be founded on love. (See 1st Corinthians 13:4-8)

Davis is someone who probably doesn't realize his gift, but you will see that he has a gift of being a teacher. He tends to be quite, to listen and then help out. He struggles in this gift, as we all struggle to fill our calling. Yet he helps Winter out with her English class so she can pass. He also supplies some needed insight into some of the situations that arise. So his gift is not limited to just academics.

There are others with other gifts and although we look at Winter and think she's just awesome (and she is) we tend to forget that without the help of God through these other gifts in these other members of the Body of Christ she really would have been powerless.

Time and again Jesus stresses the importance of others. He says "Where two or three are gathered together in my name..." He tells us to "Love one another, as I have loved you." Jesus introduces us to a lifestyle that must include others. It must include others because love demands that. Also God knows that when we come together in Him we are made stronger. It's like taking a few small flames, thing torches or something here, and putting them all together. In their own right they have a certain amount of light or strength, but when you put them all together you end up with a bonfire. When Jesus says, "You are the Light of the world" in Matthew 6 it is quite possible that he is talking about how we are to stay united with one another and so be a bonfire for Him, one that cannot be hidden.

Yes, God does make each of us unique, but He also fits us together to become, as the Apostle Peter puts it, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5). Together we become the Living Word of God that the world must see. If we fail at this, then we fail at everything.

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(Legal stuff - I received a copy of this book for the express purpose of writing a review. That being said I still give it a 5 star rating, which you can also read on Amazon)