DIVERSITY ENHANCES DIVINE IMPACT

To embrace diversity is to embrace wider outreach. In the Kingdom of God, diversity helps to expand the loving outreach of God to the world. We need each other's gifts to excel beyond our limits. We must welcome the services of people who have vast vision in the areas we experience blind spots in order to make a giant leap forward in standards. That means diversity sharpens perspectives.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 King James Version (KJV)

'Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.'

Here the Scriptures are talking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, differences of administrations or services, and diversities of operations. This topic is not limited to these areas only. We are also considering diversities of profession. If you limit yourself to those who only have your kind of gift, services, or profession or those who reason like you, you'll never improve personally or broaden your horizon. This is because there'd be no one to fill in the gaps in your knowledge, experience or abilities. The limit of your personal knowledge, experience, or interest can be exceeded to achieve better results, when you embrace diversity.

Galatians 3:28 (TPT) reads, 'And we no longer see each other in our former state- Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female- because we're all one through our union with Jesus Christ with no distinction between us.' That means, the Christian faith has expanded rapidly and diversified into many nations, tribes, and races, yet we are all one in Christ Jesus. So the way to complement and improve the areas you're not robust enough, is to accept and work with people who are gifted in those areas, regardless of their background or race.

Jesus embraced diversity. Think of His disciples for a few seconds. They were from diverse professions. Peter and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector and Luke was a doctor. Jesus had the anointing and the gifts. Yes, the Holy Spirit was with Him, but He didn't handle His ministry without needing people (His disciples). He picked diversity because He needed them all to accomplish His mission on earth.

Considering His choices, Jesus was teaching us that we need people's gifts and expertise to supplement ours, not people that will duplicate us. Even though He created us as diverse people, He wants us to work together in one accord, using our gifts for each other's benefit. That's why He gave us different gifts, skills and strengths so that we would recognise our need for one another and appreciate our individuality.

Do you know that even if you were a genius in your area, to make notable impact, you would still need others' gifts to complement you in other areas you are not knowledgeable and well informed enough? Think about it: you're uniquely different from anyone else. Others are uniquely different from you as well. So we need harmony. That means, you can't achieve it alone, even if you are mega-talented. The greatest route to Kingdom accomplishment is through diversity of operations, not conformity in operation.

Scripture Reading - Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:10-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:11.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the quality of truth you've revealed to my spirit today, empowering me with the notion that diversity is the work of your divinity. Our differences, races, groupings and undertakings will never be used as a means to create distance between us, instead it will continue to bring us together to unite in order to achieve the tasks you've set for us. With great reverence for you Lord, I appreciate the beauty, relevance, usefulness and impact of diversity in your Kingdom expansion, in Jesus' Name, Amen!