I Corinthians 12:1-31
12:1-3 In the time and context of Paul speaking, the budding churches varied wildly in faith. Paul's mission was to align the churches with the truth of their shared God. Church 1 believed in a different "Jesus" than did Church 2 and so forth. Paul wanted them (and us) to understand that although there is variability in the expression of faith, the source of spirituality is the same for all.
12:4-5 We are members of a deputation to God. It is imperative that today's world and humans understand that culture, rather than a divider, is a method with multiple avenues for people of all different schools of thought to reach the same conclusion about life. Although expressed in ways that might seem unconventional to some, each culture is striving toward the same values held by the rest of the globe.
12:6 In diverse contexts, relationships, professions, geographical locations, mediums, and languages, we are each apportioned work and purpose on earth by God. Paul makes this point because he wants people to work together, to derive their ability to interact and even collaborate with each other from their commonalities. Although we might look and think and speak and behave differently here on earth, we are all on the same spiritual trajectory, children of the same Parent.
12:7-10 We are each expertly, precisely placed (quite especially when we awaken to and accept that we have purpose here). Our creator has custom-made each individual... consistently tailoring us to our context when we are willing and productive participants. God knows they ways in which we each can make the greatest impact on our earth and humanity and He equips us with the ability to do so in different ways. A variety of talents and abilities are given and dispersed throughout humanity.
Yet the nature of our God is compassion. We are given to in order that we may give. Blessings given to one are meant to be redistributed to many. This is why Jesus taught: To whom much is given, much is expected, Luke 12:48. This verse does not pertain only to money and material wealth. God gives us many things meant to inspire, defend, and create compassion and justice for those around us: artistic ability, keen discernment, an aptness for language, prowess in sport, musicality, humor... there is an endless abundance of gifts God gives to each of us with the hope that we will reign and utilize them for good.
12:11 "Distributing to each one..." I read a quote a few months ago that perfectly explained how strategically placed we each are:
"Do you realize the immensity of creation? Do you see the prescribed order of the universe? God has imposed his rules and laws on everything. What makes you think He exempted you from that?" Mahbod Seraji, Rooftops of Tehran
12:12-14 We are quenched from the thirst of seeming disorder and injustice of life by our shared Creator's compassionate and strategic intention. It would be a shameful waste of time to constantly categorize each other by differences when, superseding our short and temporary lives on earth, we are the same in spirit and are of the same Spirit.
The world often seems disordered and unjust and the reason is because so many have not realized their instrumental role here. There is work to be done that is not being done. God has given us the blessed opportunity to truly matter while here on earth, to change and influence and create here. With such generously-given freedom, people are unfortunately able to change, influence and create the wrong things or to lethargically pass through life, indifferent to the ways they were custom-build to impact it.
12:15-19 These verses gently yet profoundly target insecurity and low self-esteem. We each go through periods of existentialism, wondering where and how and why we are. Our eyes likely do not realize how much we love and need and utilize them, but that does not diminish their astronomical worth. Our relationship with God is similar: we might not be keen or privy to understanding our astronomical worth, but we are loved, we are needed, we are utilized for good.
12:20-24 There is no varying of value among our differences in abilities and conditions. Regardless of whether or not the world or the self realizes their own or another's purpose or value, we are all significant to creation. We are all giving life to life, to ideas and emotions and conditions and opportunities... interacting with, inspiring and impacting the world and humanity around us.
12:25-27 Together we are a functioning unit of life. The life within each of us is expressed through how we live our lives. The energy we produce is absorbed into the earth and throughout humanity. Our happiness is shared as well as our sadness. Achievements as well as tragedies are shared between us. We are spawn of the universe and siblings of each other.
12:25-27 Together we are a functioning unit of life. The life within each of us is expressed through how we live our lives. The energy we produce is absorbed into the earth and throughout humanity. Our happiness is shared as well as our sadness. Achievements as well as tragedies are shared between us. We are spawn of the universe and siblings of each other.
12:28-31 Strive for these gifts from creation to be awakened in you. You were built with potential stored in every atom of your body (and you have billions and billions and billions of them). There are an innumerable amount of ways you can impact your own life, those around you, humanity and the earth. You are not as small as you think you are.
