Unity In Diversity When It Really Counts

TODAY’S READING Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:21-26

“The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,  while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,  so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

OBSERVATION:

Community in service is what stands out to me here.  It is easy to get a long with people that you don’t have to depend on.  When your relationship revolves around fun and social events, what’s there to complain about?  However, as you begin to do life together around mission and vision and values there is a lot of potential for disagreement, pride, elitism, and other controversies.  But God designed His Body, the church, to have equal concern for each other.

In other words it is possible to have unity within diversity - it is possible to find community by serving with one another toward a common mission.

APPLICATION:

If this is to happen then we have to possess a big-picture-perspective.  Looking toward at our role as well as the roles of other’s in light of the mission we are trying to accomplish.  Understanding that what we do builds upon and builds up what others are doing to reach the common mission.  Some may teach, others converse, others sing, others set-up, others care for children, others design... We all “Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples.”

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your goodness to me and for giving me a place in your Body.  Thank you for giving me an integral role in your mission of salvation and making disciples.  Help me to have the big picture in mind and to appreciate the gifts and the roles of others in the church.  In Jesus Name - AMEN!