The Body of Christ, Quilted Together

Have you ever considered the power of a quilt as a spiritual metaphor?  A homemade quilt provides warmth, comfort, history, and relationship as well as a treasured keepsake and enduring memory to its maker.  It can be viewed as an object of unity from various pieces of cloth carefully stitched together to become a beautiful and functional work of art without the pieces losing their individual identity.  When you see the quilt, you see the maker.

My wife is an expert quilt maker. Each one she makes is unique. It is amazing to see how much time and attention to detail is required to carefully select and cut each fabric piece then sew them together according to a predetermined pattern. Initially to me, it appears somewhat chaotic, but in time, I can see a beautiful fabric art project become reality.

Beyond just her personal projects, she attends various quilt shows, where there are many other people from a variety of different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. As I’ve attended these shows alongside her, I see how this is such a practical picture of the Kingdom of God.

Just as quilt pieces are usually nothing more than scraps, small bits and pieces dissimilar in design — but when sown together, make a beautiful pattern — this is how we are in Jesus. Without our Savior and standing apart from the rest of His Bride, we remain purely potential and nothing more. Yet, together in the Body of Christ, woven with one common interest and vision, we form the Church — purposeful, united and each carrying a unique calling.

Cut from a Holy Cloth: Salvation into Sanctification

“When a person believes in Jesus Christ, they are sanctified, or set apart for God’s purpose. This is a lifelong process that occurs as the Holy Spirit and the Word of God work in a person’s life.” Romans 12:1-3

Before we came to know Christ, we were nothing but dust—similar to that of a patch of fabric, useless on its own, yet created for something greater and beautiful. When we chose salvation in Jesus, our process of sanctification began, first sowing seeds within our hearts that would eventually blossom into fruit that would ultimately populate the seeds of salvation in others. 

As this journey occurs, our cloth is tenderly cut by our Creator, purposefully refined into the special fabric piece we were made to be. We each have a unique calling placed on our lives by God, designed to fit perfectly into the grander scheme of life. In our sanctification, through Christ alone we become aligned with God’s heart, eradicating sin, discovering our giftings and answering the nudges placed on our hearts by the Spirit. 

Finding A Place in Community: Pieced Together in Love

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

When we consider the fact that so many other religions, groups and subcultures simply tolerate one another’s differences, we are shown just how special the Christian faith is called to be. Rather than just tolerance, we welcome and encourage different callings within one another to embrace God’s perfect design of unity.  I have witnessed this unity among the Body in Eastern Europe, where we see our “seed planting” ministry being watered and harvested by others, with believers of all backgrounds in one accord, bearing testimony to the Creator’s design.

Just as a quilt which is made up of special, one-of-a-kind pieces of fabric, holds a practical purpose of warmth, comfort and beauty in its wholeness—the Body of Christ does the same. As one disciple is called to evangelism, another might be called to teaching, and someone else to leading worship through songs. Together, through that beautiful weaving and cohesive working, we are one body in the love of Christ Jesus. 

The Global Woven Body: Made to Cover the World

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

As these grand quilting conferences draw in individuals from all over the world, we witness common themes among these special attendees, despite any differences in language, belief, culture and tradition. We see women of compassion and creativity — real people who feel the same emotions we all feel: joy and excitement at times, pain and struggle in other moments — all called to a similar purpose. 

In the same way, through my work in Eastern Europe, I’ve witnessed the profound beauty of the Body of Christ within the Christian people of this region. Sure, they know a vastly different reality than we do. Yet, like ourselves, there are those who are hungry for the hope of God’s Word, individuals who faithfully follow the Lord, parents who love their children, those who harbor empathy for others and people who desire to make something beautiful out of seemingly nothing in the eyes of the world. In so many ways, they are just like us — fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, woven next to us in the beautiful quilted tapestry of the global church.

Called to Unity, Prayer and Provision

As our vision in Christ continues to unite us, let us never fail to pray for the Body of Christ, to provide God’s Word to those who don’t have it, and to offer encouragement to others in their unique giftings. Afterall, it is in the Lord’s mercy that we are reminded that we are no better than another, each extended the same grace in Christ Jesus, each called to embrace the life, gifts and calling we have been granted. 

Therefore, let us continue to share in the joy, beauty and practicality of that whole unity — building one another up, sharing the Gospel message and continuing to grow in sanctified love. Like pieces in the most magnificent quilt ever created, we have been carefully stitched together to form a work of art so grand and stunning that those who look upon it would be pointed to Christ’s immense love.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Bob Burckle is the President of EEM, which has been delivering God’s Word to the people of Eastern Europe since 1961, now reaching 35 countries in 25 languages. It provided nearly 2 million Bibles and Bible-based materials free of charge in the region in 2023, including in public schools in several nations.