“Driven, given, livin’”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Wednesday, March 13, 2024
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (Forward, p. 44) CEV p. 1199
I chose this somewhat artificial title in order to highlight the work of the Holy Spirit that the apostle Paul describes in this important passage. (Here he is responding to a question that has been put to him, probably by way of a letter.) It has to do with spiritual gifts, and presumably it is a subject of some importance as he spends quite a bit of time on it. It would appear that some in the Corinthian church were--what today we’d call ‘charismatics’--people endowed with some rather noteworthy spiritual gifts. It is quite possible that they were lording it over others, as certainly does happen at times—acting as if they were somehow better or more important than those without such endowments. And, even if they did not intentionally do this, the gifts in themselves might well have made other people feel less important.
Paul begins then with an important point, namely who are what is leading them, ‘driving them’, you might say. His point is that it can only be the Holy Spirit or dumb idols that can’t even talk. Somehow—this point I really don’t understand—these idols had previously led them ‘in all the wrong ways.’ And so, they needed to be careful and ensure that they were now being led by God’s Spirit.
Then, moving on more directly to the subject of spiritual gifts, Paul explains that while there are many and differing spiritual gifts, they all come from the same Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who doles them out and decides which gifts to give to each one of us. So, obviously, then, this is the Spirit’s decision—He has His own reasons--and has nothing to do with our merit or deserving.
And what are the purpose of these gifts? For our own self-glorification or aggrandizement? No, not in the least. They are to live out the Christian life, or, more explicitly, to serve the Lord and others. And in all these, it is God who works in us and helps us in everything we do. And so, once again, it is not a matter of boasting or of false pride: it is God at work in us.
And what is undoubtedly incredible, and perhaps even unbelievable, is that God has given each of us one or more gifts, whether we know this or recognize it or not.
So, I would say, it is a matter of being available and open to God, to receive with joy and gladness whatever gift He bestows upon us, to treasure it, and then, to use it to His glory and the benefit of other people—neither flaunting it on the one hand or disparaging it on the other, but using it as God intends, empowers and directs. Let us all then seek to know what our gift might be and then to use it as He sees fit. Thanks be to God.
Forward notes: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (verse 7).
Commemoration: James Theodore Holly
“Consecrated in 1874 as the first Episcopal bishop of Haiti, James Holly’s life and ministry bid the church to strive for justice and peace among all people. Even though Bishop Holly suffered substantial personal losses, he strived to recognize the Holy Spirit’s gifts in every individual.
“My involvement in the Episcopal Church would probably never have happened if the parish I encountered had not had such a beautiful spirit of affirmation for all people. When I observed my parish relying on the Spirit to take risks in ministry, amazing things happened. The formality between the ‘old timers’ and new people diminished overnight. Newcomers saw their potential to be a part of something beautiful. We shared a newly revealed hunger for God that began transforming our lives.
“Every encounter with the Holy Spirit offers us an opportunity for such a life-changing transformation. Our task is to allow ourselves to be changed.”
Moving Forward: “Research the life and ministry of James Holly. How does his witness speak to you today?”
A concluding note: Given the terrible and perilous situation of Haiti today, I wonder what Bishop Holly would have said and done. And I wonder what impact that would have made. Maybe we, and more importantly the people of Haiti, could ‘borrow a page’ from his life and example.