Have you ever wondered why God created humans with so many unique qualities? Wouldn’t unity be more attainable or automatic if we were created more alike? Or, perhaps we were created with so many unique qualities for a purpose.

In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12, Paul explains how we are each created with unique gifts with the purpose of serving Christ—for the greater common good of His kingdom. In verse 12 Paul writes: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

There is much to be learned from this simply stated verse. Although Paul is speaking of the body of Christ, we can easily understand what he is referring to by considering the unity and diversity of the parts of the physical body.

By looking at the human body as a whole, we can easily see how each part operates in unity like an amazing, miraculous machine. However, upon closer examination of its many parts, we can also recognize great diversity.

For example, what does a delicate string of eyelashes have in common with the strength of a large femur bone?

Please don’t miss this: their unity is not found in their characteristics but in their membership and commonality in providing purpose to the body! Eye lashes, for instance, help protect the eye from debris where as the femur bone helps support the skeletal system. But, who can say that one is more valuable or purposeful than the other? Their purposes, although unique, are equally valuable.

The entire body of Christ benefits when we celebrate, rather than criticize, the unique characteristics of each member. In what ways are you encouraging unity while appreciating diversity?

Families also benefit from unity when each member is valued for their unique contributions. Parents can encourage unity among family members in a variety of ways:

  • celebrate the unique qualities of each child
  • engage each child in conversation to consider how his or her unique talents might be used in serving God
  • provide each child with opportunities to develop personal talents
  • train children to acknowledge their talents as gifts from God while honoring Him through service

In the same way God uniquely designed each member of the body of Christ to effectively function in meeting the needs of others, He also desires families to operate. United diversity brings honor to Jesus.