Hebraic
Musing – Can Diversity and Unity
Co-exist?
Twice
a month, Irene and I minister to a group of seniors at an Assisted Living
facility. The first time I ministered there folks were gathering and I heard
someone down the hall shout “What denomination is it?” So I shouted back down
the hall “Multi”. Recently I congratulated the group for being a ‘Multi’-denominational
group serving a ‘Multi’-denominational God. Then we each shared our own denominational
backgrounds and we recognized and appreciated the unique strengths that each of
our denominations contributes to the Kingdom of God.
At
my father’s funeral, my siblings each shared their concerns and grief with me
as I became the patriarch, being the oldest of the eight. And each had
differing denominational attachments. While flying home at 35,000 feet I prayed
“Thank you Lord for giving me all the different denominational ways to bless
you.” And I heard God reply almost audibly “Joe, those are all the different
ways I have to bless you.”
My
favorite song is from Psalm 133 -- How
good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!...
Today
I am studying Ephesians 4. Verses 3 to 6 say Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace. There is one body
and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were
called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, ….. NIV So why does Paul, or God, follow up
immediately by introducing diversity in vs.11-12? It was
He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers, (Why?) to prepare God's people… God wanted unity but He also created diversity.
Each of us are different, uniquely.
Why
was America so strong? We were known as
the melting pot of diverse nationalities. Each brought something different to America;
like trades, ethics, foods, etc. And we
worked in unity to be successful, prosperous and victorious as a nation.
When
our American armed forces wanted to take a Pacific Island in WWII, the Air
Force would bomb the island; then the Navy would shell it from afar; then the
Marines would land and establish a beachhead and take out key enemy
installations; finally the Army would land and complete the conquering task.
Multiple forces, each uniquely equipped would work together to defeat the
enemy.
Our
Tuesday Bible/Torah study group exemplifies diversity and unity.
We blend the inputs from a Jew, a Mormon, a Christian specializing in Prophecy,
another who follows Messianic teachings, home-schooled youths who ask
questions, the host family who are Christians attending a Jewish synagogue, my
Irene is a 52 year Baptist and I have a multi-denominational background. Yet we
all love each other and enjoy the differing perspectives and depth of
understanding. Oreos keep us in unity
and coming back each week.
God
built diversity into our Hebrew roots. Each tribe of Israel had its own flag
and symbol and diverse individual blessings from Abraham and Moses. The unique
flags and roles of each tribe symbolized their place among the children of
Israel and their contribution to the nation. By raising these flags, each tribe
celebrated their own diverse strengths and also appreciated the roles of
the other tribes.
Finally,
God provided us with a diverse variety of gifts. In Romans 12:6-8 by His
grace He gave us diverse gifts of prophesying, serving, teaching,
encouraging, generosity, leadership and mercy.
Also in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 God’s Spirit gives us diverse
manifestations of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers,
prophecy, discernment, tongues and interpretation. Let’s celebrate diversity!
Abe
Lincoln said “If we were all rich we we’d all be poor; and if we were all poor
we’d all be rich”.
Point to Ponder
How dull would life be
without diversity?
What will it take to achieve
the unity God calls us to?
May they know we are Christians
by our love (and not “…by the things that we don’t do.”)
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd October 8, 2013
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