Living in the Spirit
July 5, 2018
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. –2 Corinthians 12:2-5
Paul attests to the reality that we all experience and celebrate God in different ways. Richard J. Foster wrote about the six dimensions of faith in his book, Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith. It makes sense. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul describes some of the varying skills described as spiritual gifts necessary to complete the work of God.
We, humans, tend to want to rank order the value of things including people and their talents. We often pay people according to the esteem we give to their value. I remember when I worked at a hospital many years ago, a lot of construction was going on around the building requiring most staff to walk a few blocks in a “bad” neighborhood in searing summer hit, rain, and winter cold from temporary parking while a few cherished spots were reserved for the doctors and residents right in front of the building. At that time, the doctors and residents were mostly male, and the residents were mostly under 30 years old. Many of them probably jogged before coming to work. The cleaning staff at the hospital were mostly women over the age of 50 also caring for a family at home. As important as physicians are their work could be rendered moot if the facility they worked in was not kept spotlessly clean. To its credit, the hospital very quickly added a transport system to and from the distant parking lot.
The key to equity and equality resides in respect and justice where everyone has enough and is appreciated for the unique offerings he or she makes to the fulfillment of a world ruled by love.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we value people based on the world’s definition of success. Guide us to see people through the content of their character* in whatever capacity they may serve and to support all in becoming the person you created us each to be. Amen.
*Borrowed from Martin Luther King’s speech, I have a Dream.