Restoring Life: Unity in DiversityНамуна

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” 1 Corinthians 12:27

Paul tells the church in Corinth that they are all the body of Christ, which means that each of them, individually, is part of the body of Christ. Despite all of their differences and diversity, they are the church. This is true even today. The Church is the one place on Earth that can properly display the diversity that God created. This is because the Church doesn’t create diversity, it reflects it. 

God created diversity and proved it through the life, death, and resurrection of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus offers forgiveness for sins and a brand-new life to anyone who confesses their sins and trusts in Him. There are no stipulations on Jesus’s offer. People can be of any ethnicity, any political party, live in any home, speak any language, and have any background. All are welcome to join the body of Christ. This is why the Church is the most diverse place on Earth. 

Working for a company that provides products and services to orthopedic surgeons has the potential to be very isolating for minorities because the vast majority of the orthopedic industry is Caucasian. But I have been blessed to be a racial minority in the orthopedic community and experience the diversity that the body of Christ can offer. It’s more than just working with people of other minority groups, seeing minorities occupy positions of leadership, or people showing a vague appreciation for my colored-ness. It’s something that no hospital system, no operating room, and no clinic can create. It’s the full love and acceptance of me by the God who created me and died for me; and it’s that same love and acceptance I can also see and feel reflected by the body of Christ around me by surgeons, nurses, scrub techs, and reps.

Many people in the orthopedic world look for this love and acceptance outside of the church in their friend groups, hospital staff, and clinics, but of course, it cannot be found there. These groups do not reflect the only true diversity that comes from God. But if you are part of the body of Christ, then you have something to offer those who are searching, even if they are different from you. This is how you, the body of Christ, can reflect the diversity and glory of God.

If you have never felt the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ, the offer is extended to you today! Admit that you are a sinner who needs the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, and then believe and trust that Jesus really died, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead to forgive you completely and give you a new life, both now and forever with him. 

It is when we unite together, that we can properly celebrate the intentional and beautiful diversity that God has created and reflected in His Church. 

          - John Mark Lawrence

Question to think about:

How can I show the same love and acceptance that Jesus shows me to people who are different from me?

Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, and the offer of forgiveness that you extend to everyone, no matter who we are. Thank you for your Church and the opportunities that we have to love and accept people just like you have accepted us. Help us to reflect on the beautiful diversity that you created. In Jesus’s name, Amen.