The Holy Spirit takes the rap for a lot of bizarre behavior. People who act up in church explain that they are “Spirit-filled.” Those who break ranks tend to claim the sanction of the Third Person of the Trinity. Rational discussion of doctrine dies when someone declares a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit.
Interesting then that Paul understands the Spirit’s presence to produce unity instead of uniqueness, choreography in place of chaos, and symphony that supersedes solos. True, the apostle raps out nine diverse manifestations of the Spirit in just three verses (v.8-10), but he balances these with corresponding one-words: “the same . . . the same . . . the same . . . the same . . .the same . . . one and the same.” The Spirit leads us to speak from a single script (v.3) and welds us into five-fold oneness (v.12-13).
The most interesting and individual saints are those who have understood and embraced the truth that singularity grows from the soil of submission. “Men and women in the monastic life,” observes Eric Dean, “seem to me more diverse than any other group of people I know.” Perhaps because their clothing doesn’t outshout their souls. C. S. Lewis once likened Christian uniqueness to the variety of sights produced by the singleness of light, or the riot of tastes unveiled by the sameness of salt. People who have always lived in the dark would assume the same light shining on everything would make everything look the same, whereas it in fact displays distinction. People who know nothing of salt might think all food so seasoned has a similar tang, but salt actually enhances individual flavors.
Perhaps if God’s Church truly seeks the Spirit we will worry less about standing out and more about standing with; focus less on distinguishing ourselves and more on extinguishing our selves; think more about what we can show than how we can be seen. And maybe (as Paul’s metaphor of the body implies) when we become truly one, we will find that each of us is truly unique.
Collect
Three-in-One-God, by the unity of the Trinity you show yourself distinct from all the gods of the nations. Teach us to seek solidarity over singularity and make us truly one that in us the world may see You, the One God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Benediction
May the Spirit who gives the gift of many tongues
Make all of your tongues confess Jesus as Lord.
May the Spirit who gives many gifts to one body
Make all of your gifts honor Jesus as Lord.
May the Spirit who gives the gift of one baptism
Make all of the body grow into her Lord,
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Well said, Doug.
ReplyDelete"singularity grows from the soil of submission."
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like Jesus knew what He was talking about with all that, "Die to yourself to find your life" talk.