Faithfully yours - Unity in diversity

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Published on Saturday, July 18, 2015

Neil Strohscein

Being married to a stroke victim has given me a new appreciation for the skilled professionals who diagnose and treat us when we are ill. They are a highly talented group of people.

At the head of the line is Kathryn’s family doctor. He is complemented by several specialists. A technician in Brandon builds and maintains the Ankle-Foot Orthosis (brace) Kathryn wears on her left foot. Without it, she couldn’t walk. Physio and Occupational therapists have designed an exercise routine to help her keep her left arm and hand strong and flexible. Health care aides from Home Care come by twice a week to help Kathryn with those exercises.

We also take advantage of alternative forms of therapy; and have been amazed to see how these procedures have complemented the work of doctors and therapists. The last member of the group is the transportation specialist—me! I drive her to and from her various appointments. As each of us does what he or she does best; Kathryn’s health continues to improve.

Kathryn’s treatment team is a diverse group of specialists united by a common goal—helping her regain, to the greatest extent possible, the functions on her left side that the stroke took from her. For that goal to be reached, each of us leads in our respective areas of strength. Where we are weak, we step aside and let someone else lead.

What I’ve just shared with you is an example of the “Unity in Diversity” that Christ has built into his church. Of all the pictures used to describe the church, the one used most frequently is the picture of a “body;” a team of specialists who, directed by Christ and energized by the Holy Spirit, work together to meet the needs of the community in which they live and work.

As a body, the church has one head—and that is Jesus Christ himself; a fact St. Paul states unequivocally in Colossians 1:18: “He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church…” He is the one who calls people to specific areas of service and equips them with the special abilities (the talents, skills and spiritual gifts) each needs to fulfill his or her calling.

Our task is simple. As parts of the body, we are to use the resources Christ has given us to encourage and help those he brings into our lives. He will never ask us to do something for which he has not already given us the resources we need to do it effectively.

We live out this truth every moment of every day. Nothing in life ever happens by accident. Every person you will meet today is a person Christ is sending your way; because you have the knowledge, experience, skills and understanding to encourage and help him or her. Every task assigned to you (at home, at work or in the community) is a task Christ has given you; because you have the training and insight required to complete it effectively and efficiently.

But we must never assume that we can do these things in our own strength. Christ’s last words to his disciples (John 15:5) were these: “Without me, you can do nothing.”

We do not work in isolation. We are workers together with Christ. He is the one who orders our steps; who assigns the tasks we are to complete and who brings across our paths the people he wants us to help. We do what he asks us to do—in his name, with his help and for his glory.