Variety is the spice of life
By Dean Collins
Some folks are content with the same meal, same routine, same clothes, and the same friends. Generally, people don’t like much change. Sameness is predictable. Sameness is comfortable. On a cool fall morning you might always like the same sweatshirt you’ve been wearing for the last 20 years.
On the other hand variety can spice things up. Variety can energize and foster creativity. Sometimes when I write I get stuck. Taking a walk or even sitting in a different place can bring fresh ideas and perspective.
As Paul begins his discussion about how the church is the body of Christ, he begins by discussing varieties. Paul says there are varieties of gifts, varieties of activities, and varieties of service. While we all have a common Heavenly Father, a common Savior, and a common Holy Spirit we all come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. There is variety in how God formed us even as we all are formed in his image.
For the common good
God in all of his wisdom knew that to do his kingdom mission and to reflect his glory we would need a variety of gifts. And all of these spiritual gifts have a purpose: “...for the common good.” Our gifts are not simply for our amusement or entertainment. They have a purpose that is beyond just our individual pleasure. Our gifts are to be shared for the benefit of all of God’s people in the church and through the church for the transformation and restoration of all the world, people and places.
According to Paul this variety of gifts allows healthy diversity of functions and ministries. Some are gifted with knowledge and wisdom. Others can promote or be instrumental in healing. Some can discern what is godly versus worldly. Some can preach and teach. Some are used by God even in miraculous ways. The kingdom of God has many members, and each member brings a unique role to accomplishing God’s work.
The beginning of this epistle describes dysfunctional behaviors and attitudes surrounding the church’s arguments and divisions about leaders. This dysfunction had crept into arguments around who was more gifted or needed in the church and who was less gifted and needed. This disunity weakened the effectiveness of the church.
God designed variety with intention. Our uniqueness should not be a point of pride or criticism. Paul gave a humorous example of body parts refusing to do their jobs because they would rather be a different part. I’ve never awakened to hear my foot in an argument with my ears. But I have gotten up and experienced stiffness or pain somewhere in my body. And we all know that when part of our body isn’t working right, we can’t seem to get things done in the most effective ways.
If we have illness or orthopedic challenges, we end up creating all kinds of work-arounds just to accomplish the simplest of tasks. How many work-arounds have been created because of the dysfunction and disunity of the church, Christ’s body? What could be accomplished in God’s kingdom if we accepted and celebrated our gifts instead of wasting time in discussions or pursuits of what others have been given?
What could be accomplished in God’s kingdom if we accepted and celebrated our gifts instead of wasting time in discussions or pursuits of what others have been given?
Imagine a church that unites in one purpose and allows all of God’s children to be a part of his work? Picture a church where each member takes responsibility to follow God’s design and perform his or her unique role in his body. That might even mean that preachers could spend more time to prepare better sermons instead of doing the work of ministry that church members often relegate to the church staff.
It takes all of us
When we allow the varieties of God’s gifts to be used in his church, we’re combining all the right spices to bring an aroma of Christ attractive and effective in doing the work of God for the common good.
I don’t know if these varieties of gifts make us “spicy” Christians. But I do know God called us to be the salt of the earth. And it takes all of us, not any one of us to do the work of God.
Your time with God’s Word
Photo by Ratul Ghosh on Unsplash
