Now you are all the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way…I Corinthians 12:27-31, NRSV
Paul finishes this chapter with a couple of pointed remarks and questions spoken with an edge. Are ALL teachers/prophets/apostles? Do ALL work miracles? et cetera…
No, of course. No one gets all the gifts: no one gets none. No one gets a choice, either. You get what the Spirit hands you. Whatever it is, put it to use for the good of all and the revelation of God’s infinite love. Don’t waste time wishing for a different gift; there is a reason you and I got what we got – even if we don’t know what that reason might be. Isn’t it enough to be the only person in the entire history of the cosmos who has the your combination?
Then comes Paul’s final advice: strive for the greater gifts. But what are these greater gifts? The chapter ends without revealing them. They could be anything, couldn’t they? Superhuman endurance in the face of evil; undeniable power of persuasion to inspire and lead others; the ability to heal with a touch (or a scalpel). Until Paul moves on to chapter thirteen and the big reveal:
Faith. Hope. Love.
Not a lot of superhero flash here, and no measuring stick to find our places in the pecking order of power.
Live in faith and faithfully. Remember that hope is stronger than any circumstance. Embrace the eternal nature of love.
It takes a lifetime to trust in the truth that every young life is born into and out of: love has no need to conquer a damn thing because it is the very fiber of God’s creation.
