Variety for the Common Good

“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit… All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-8,11-13

“By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:3-8

God not only makes, but assigns and arranges His people with certain gifts for His purposes. He orders families, churches, communities at specific seasons and places to achieve a number of coincidental plans for individual and communal benefit. And He designs variations of personality traits to accompany the expression of each measure of grace. Variety is His sacred spice of robust life in Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:14-27)

As He wills. Why do we have such problems with His choices? Given through the Spirit. Though all one in Spirit, and all part of the same organic supernatural body, we tend to like variety until we don’t. In one Spirit. We’re fond of those with winsome demeanor, but can chafe at those who are contrary. God has assigned. We confer with the agreeable and supportive, but can resist or avoid those who would challenge or refine. According to grace given. We prefer to pick our place and people and dismiss what and whom we disagree with, or don’t like. One body in Christ.

Change in attitude can happen when we believe these words. If our minds are set on what we think and want, what feels good and causes no friction, we’ll go through life as limp spiritual appendages. But if we take to heart what God says is true, that members of all varieties make vital contribution to us and to His Body at work in the world, we’ll enjoy harmony and fruitfulness.

Which will it be? How can I welcome and foster variety in my relationships and work, both secular and sacred? How can I more practically seek the Body’s good over my own?

Lord, enable me to serve fully as You designed and intend, for common good and Your uncommon glory.