Sunday Devotion

Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. As we face a new week, let us put ourselves into the shoes of the first Christians living in Corinth. Paul wrote in his first letter to them, encouraging them to appreciate their various gifts, yet acknowledging their differences, their diversity as Jew and Gentile. His words identified issues that created the differences, much like we have today. It was, no doubt, often a situation of we versus them. What kind of labels do we apply today?

Why do we make such distinctions? Think of the labels we apply today. If you identify with a label (i.e., group) below, make a mental note where you fit the description.

• People who like to get up early in the morning to get an early start on their day.
• People who need their morning cup of coffee to energize.
• People who like to watch fashion trends and new innovations.
• People who like to work with their hands to make things.

Where do you fit into the above groups? If you fit in, how do you view those who do not? Do you see the advantage of both the included and those not included?

In 1 Corinthians 12:10-13 (Bible version: The Message), we are told, “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful.”  Paul goes on to further say, “We are each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he [God] has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of [Jesus] resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink.”

As we see the many parts of our own body: eyes, hands, feet, brain, etc., and know that they do marvelous works when put together in one body, so do we all benefit when we experience unity in our diversity and the blessing of community, two of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles. Live life knowing “we are better together.”  Do not draw lines between us where we cannot see the strength and promises and hope and peace of unity together.

To once again view the boxes that we often put people in and see the differences and the strength of getting rid of those lines that separate us, watch this video https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=don%27t+put+people+in+boxes+video&type=E211US105G91768#id=1&vid=b00294ec2aaa5c9b0d035ddd43331995&action=click

Thank you, God, for helping us correct our vision where we only see differences and instead be the expanded body where we practice unity and love. Amen.