Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22
I'm reminded of Psalm 68:6 today: "God sets the lonely
in families." Isn't that beautiful? Our New Testament reading
expands this concept. As Paul writes these poignant words about the value
and worth and connectedness of each part of the body of Christ, we're reminded
that we are the family of God. Over and over again, Paul stresses the
"same"ness and the "one"ness of the body and its
head. It is the "same Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:4, 8, 9, 11), the "same
Lord" (vs. 5), the "same God" (vs. 6). It is a unifying
Spirit (vs. 9, 11, 13), single itself and binding all of us together in
unity. We are loved. We are accepted. We are pursued and
chosen by God. We are all the same in his eyes. We cannot do
anything to make him love us more than any others; we cannot do anything to
make him love us less. We're all God's favorite, like children in a
family.
And, yet, we're all unique and purposefully fashioned to be different. For all the "same" and "one," we're also - again, just like a family - singular and discrete. We are "many" (1 Cor. 12:14, 18, 20) in order to make the whole stronger. I'm reminded of something Eric told me recently. A friend (whose child had applied) had heard from Harvard that the university wasn't necessarily looking for well-rounded students; they were instead looking for a well-rounded student body. That's what we are: we're not well-rounded parts; we're a well-rounded whole. A single entity comprised of different bits that work together just right.
Because we're a whole, what we do and don't do matters. Our joys are multiplied and benefit the whole body; our griefs and losses and sins affect more than just ourselves (see 1 Cor. 12:26). This truth brings great strength, but also great responsibility. We are not, after all, islands.
I'm part of multiple bodies: the Sunukjian clan (29 strong and hopefully still going); the Marsh clan (a wonderful group to marry into); the family of seven that Eric and I have created together (called by our children, for lack of a better descriptor, "our whole little family"); the body of Christ (past, present, and future). In each of these families, there's both one-ness and distinctiveness. In each of these systems, we laugh over new pregnancies and hold hands as we cry. We have responsibilities to others and vice versa. In addition, I have a body, and I know how a headache can affect every other aspect of my physical function. An upset stomach touches all other portions of my self. I can identify with Paul's comparisons and allusions. His use of such vivid and personal metaphors make his words more real, more potent, more accessible, and more memorable.
Scripture amazes me.
And, yet, we're all unique and purposefully fashioned to be different. For all the "same" and "one," we're also - again, just like a family - singular and discrete. We are "many" (1 Cor. 12:14, 18, 20) in order to make the whole stronger. I'm reminded of something Eric told me recently. A friend (whose child had applied) had heard from Harvard that the university wasn't necessarily looking for well-rounded students; they were instead looking for a well-rounded student body. That's what we are: we're not well-rounded parts; we're a well-rounded whole. A single entity comprised of different bits that work together just right.
Because we're a whole, what we do and don't do matters. Our joys are multiplied and benefit the whole body; our griefs and losses and sins affect more than just ourselves (see 1 Cor. 12:26). This truth brings great strength, but also great responsibility. We are not, after all, islands.
I'm part of multiple bodies: the Sunukjian clan (29 strong and hopefully still going); the Marsh clan (a wonderful group to marry into); the family of seven that Eric and I have created together (called by our children, for lack of a better descriptor, "our whole little family"); the body of Christ (past, present, and future). In each of these families, there's both one-ness and distinctiveness. In each of these systems, we laugh over new pregnancies and hold hands as we cry. We have responsibilities to others and vice versa. In addition, I have a body, and I know how a headache can affect every other aspect of my physical function. An upset stomach touches all other portions of my self. I can identify with Paul's comparisons and allusions. His use of such vivid and personal metaphors make his words more real, more potent, more accessible, and more memorable.
Scripture amazes me.
- Sarah Marsh
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