"Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger"...Is that a given?

Diversity within a group can make for a stronger whole, and a diversity of groups within a larger body can have the same effect.  But that’s not a given.  Continuing what Marcus Borg described as “a way of seeing what is”, we explore this coming Sunday, Feb. 3rd, Paul’s celebration of the diversity of the gifts of the Spirit and the strengthening effect they have on the body – but only if another way of seeing is at play.  

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, we pick up where we left off on Jan. 20th when the focus was on appreciation of the Giver of the gifts of the Spirit and not the gifts themselves.  (See blog below, "Appreciate the Gifts, Yes.  But Love the Giver".)  If we don't have that to ground us, it is easy to get sidetracked into pride and divisiveness, feeling superior to others because of what we feel we've cultivated in our lives as special abilities, skills, and knowledge.  Seeing these things as originating in the Spirit of God keeps us grateful and, therefore, humble and cognizant of our common connection as members of the family of God.

This coming Sunday, Feb. 3rd, we'll be celebrating the diversity of gifts God has bestowed upon us and looking at the way Paul sees that as a means of strengthening the church and not tearing it apart through competition and bickering over who's better or more important.

If you have any thoughts on this or illustrations you want to share, I'd be happy to receive them.  God's peace and blessings this week to all.

Steve
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