1 Cor 12:13
For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
One body, many parts; one Spirit, many gifts.
How the world needs this Spirit message in these troubled times when right wing nationalist leaders are emerging. Difference is difficult to manage and live with, but how boring the created world would be if everything was the same. Imagine we only had red roses, or we only had palm-shaped trees, or we could only eat bananas. That would be just silly! We know life is rich in variety, though we don’t always remember the importance of difference in people. People who are different to us mostly annoy us.
Each one of us is the sum of all our life experiences. When you look into someone’s eyes – really look. When you listen to someone’s story – really listen. We have been blessed with different gifts and skills for God’s mission borne from different life experiences. Let’s encourage one another.
We are told in Galatians that the fruits of the Spirit are love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As we work in community amidst our differences, let us leave these fruits behind just as a boat leaves a wake in the water.
May you all drink of the One cup of Living Water.
God bless you and keep you.
Pastor Rosalie