Have you ever had one of those times when you see something new in the old and familiar? Today was one of those days in church. I heard something new in a scripture I've heard countless times. You know the scripture - one spirit, many gifts; one Lord but all sorts of service; many parts but one body - 1 Cor 12:3-whatever.
I suppose part of it is the mental state I'm in these days. Maybe I'm getting old-fogey-ish but people seem so much more selfish these days. It's more and more about me and mine and less about me and my community, however you define 'community'. People seem more reluctant to give a little more to help the common good. So when I heard this, it resonated today:
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ.
So we're given these gifts, each of us with the gifts that are appropriate for us, for a good purpose. We're all part of one body, where all the parts (ideally) work together to advance the whole. That's a good thing, when all the parts are fully present and working together. It seems to me, though, that too many parts (which means you & me) are working to serve only themselves.
How am I contributing to 'the body' with my gifts? How am I using my time, talent and treasure to make positive contributions to my church, community, and country? Good questions to ponder on a restful Sunday afternoon....
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