The passage from Corinthians is one of the more famous passages from the New Testament. Each person is given gifts from the Holy Spirit, and not everyone has the same gifts. This makes up the richness that is humanity. There is not one person who contains all of the gifts needed for the Body of Christ to be whole.
Further, as Paul points out, we need a diversity of gifts and people. Not all are called to lead, not all are called to preach, not all are called to administration. Some are called to utilize some of the more expressive gifts like tongues and prophecy. The differences found in people are not something to be managed or even tolerated, they are to be embraced as necessary for wholeness of the Body of Christ.
One of the relationships this should be the easiest to grasp yet is often forgotten is marriage. At some point in a marriage the thought has crossed the mind of each person, "I wish they would think or act like me." If we do not pay attention to the differences between us, our marriage relationships will be greatly harmed.
For some it can be scary to think about having another person complete them. It is after all the stuff of sappy romance movies. Still, it is important to recognize the work of God through the movement of the Spirit in bringing two very different people together as one. In our relationship, Aaron is often quick to move to a new idea or situation, while Sarah is more ready to be steadfast in the present moment. This difference has been a source of tension sometimes, however more often than not it has worked well together when we celebrate the difference.
We could fill the page with the ways God has created us different. Another page could be filled with the ways we are similar. Through the similarities and differences, God is working for our wholeness. The wholeness is not only for our benefit but for the benefit of the Body of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment