The words of Paul about gifts within the community of Christ continue to open up 1 Corinthians.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
To each - within the whole bunch of us in the community - the Spirit...its breath...its life...its life of inspiration, can be seen among us. That is why it is so important for us to prayerfully look around at others and come to know them and what they bring to the community. Sometimes that takes patience and sometimes that takes a willingness to stop being so centered in ourselves (which is really a gift of the Spirit of God in and of itself). I find that it can be much to easy to judge and dismiss and ignore others rather than listen and respect and honor. And yet, there in the one with me is another person grasped by the Spirit of our Lord and ready to bring a certain kind of life into the mix of things. I really think that it may take the gift of quite another person to help me see the gifts that the person in front of me has to offer. The Spirit has a way of mixing up life within the community. Sometimes we can all benefit from allowing ourselves to enter the mix - prayerfully.
Connection: When you are frustrated and at your wits end with another person...let's all try to ask, "what is the gift this person is bringing to us right now?" Who knows what may come of it!?!
When your Spirit rushes through creation and begins to make for new life, it is always amazing and beyond our imagination. We give you thanks for how you continue to breathe life into all the dimension of our lives so that we can see how your creation does indeed continue to bring forth life abundantly. Amen.
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