Diversity within Us

 

This week, you are paying attention to the diversity that is within you.  The many ways your one body moves through this world.  The different ways your fingers move from your toes, from your knees to your bones.  How our diverse bodies cooperate ~ then we are sometimes in tension within ourselves.  When was the last time you felt tension physically?  Or maybe you felt tension between your head telling you one thing, while your heart was telling you another?  I remember last year when I was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder; I could not move my left arm.  To be sure, this was more inconvenient than painful…but there was certainly discomfort, and my left arm protested when I tried to do certain things.  A year later, I am better, but it took time.  Sometimes it is one part of our body that is hurting that we notice more.  Is there a part of your body that is hurting or aching?  Your back?  Your legs?  Your mind from the “too muchness” of this world?  Today, name the ache and pain to God.  On Sunday, we heard Paul say, “If one part (of the body) suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”  1 Corinthians 12:26. Once we name the ache, can we name a joy we are carrying or a celebration from this week so far?  Your joy doesn’t have to be spectacular or involve receiving a plaque.  In fact, most meaningful moments don’t get a trophy.  ABC 7 doesn’t show up outside my front door to cover the breaking news of me loving my wife or texting my kids that I love them or that I tried to be a good human today.  Yet, the church is called to be a community of practice where concerns and celebrations are given space and place to be heard.  I invite you to phone a friend, FaceTime a family member, or go out for coffee with someone you can share your life with and open space for the other to do the same.  Don’t let 1 Corinthians 12:26 just be some good idea for another day; let us find ways to cultivate community and connection in meaningful ways.  Amen.