It takes each of us
A devotional by Dilys Brooks
Have you ever heard the colloquialism, “You get in where you fit in?” I first heard it when I lived on the East Coast. Its meaning was clear: step into an opportunity when it opens. I remember how applicable this was when riding the crowded subways or trying to get on elevators during rush hour. The motivation to arrive at my destination on time prompted me to move faster, squeeze myself in, and often make room for others in the same predicament.
As I reflected on our text for this week found in 1 Corinthians 12, I was reminded of this idiom. Paul, the apostle, writes to a Christian church in the city of Corinth that seems to be having some challenges with living out the teachings of Jesus.
“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” —1 Corinthians 12:12.
Paul challenges the church to remember that by accepting Christ, they have been invited into the community of faith, analogous to the human body, and sharing a common identity and purpose. Paul reminds the hearers of the letter that each has a part to play. He also prompted them to recognize that their experience with the Holy Spirit should make room for the diversity of gifts in their midst.
Each of us at Loma Linda University Health has accepted the invitation to work together, embodying the mission and values of the organization. I wonder, however, if there are people who find themselves on the margins, trying to find a way to “get in” and “fit in?” They often struggle to understand our culture, acronyms, colloquialisms, or our faith. Paul reminds us insiders that we have a part to play in making room with our many strengths to meet our mission.
How do we make room? How do we recognize those who are being overlooked or experiencing injustice? We speak up. We listen. We reflect. We pray for wisdom. We apologize. We engage in crucial conversations about how better to serve our patients, students, and staff. And we try again.
It will take all of us looking out for each other and recognizing the strengths and gifts we bring to our tasks. It will take all of us to identify whose voices or perspectives are missing when we make plans. It will take us seeing how important each of us is to helping LLUH work well.
—Dilys Brooks, MDiv, BCC, is campus chaplain for Loma Linda University.
