Unity in Diversity - Lessons from the Body
The concept of “Unity in Diversity” is a given in the Bahá’Ă Faith and a term that’s been bandied around so often, that we’re now seeing it in the non-Bahá’Ă world too. The best known usage inside the Faith, is around the concept of the oneness of humanity, being likened to a garden, but recently I came across this quote (which I’ve broken in 3 parts) and had an entirely different understanding of what it means:
A unity in diversity of actions is called for, a condition in which different individuals will concentrate on different activities, appreciating the salutary effect of the aggregate on the growth and development of the Faith . . .
Think of the human body – a beautiful example of unity in diversity in action! We need big toenails just as much as we need eyeballs and kneecaps and thumbs. The big toenail doesn’t feel guilty it can’t see. The kneecap isn’t depressed because it can’t pick things up. Each part is important to the functioning of the whole (have you ever had a sore big toe nail? The whole body suffers!). Each part has a role to play, which is different from every other part. We accept it without giving it any thought, because typically, the body functions without any conscious effort on our part.
That’s what our Bahá’Ă life needs to be like.
. . . because each person cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing . . .
The Universal House of Justice has asked us to concentrate on 4 core activities: Study Circles, Devotional Gatherings, Children’s Classes and Junior Youth programs, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to do one or more of these activities the same as anyone else.
If you’re a big toenail, perhaps you will tutor a study circle, or put together the devotions, or teach the children’s classes and junior youth programs.
If you’re a kneecap, you might organize the activities (find the tutors, teachers and animators, order the books, call the students, parents etc.)
If you’re the eyeball, you might host the events or bake the cookies.
If you’re the thumb, you might provide transportation or child care.
If you’re the eyelash, you might pray for the success of the event.
If you’re the elbow, you might serve on the institutions that do the planning.
But how many of us try to do everything and either burn out or become inactive because they feel that what they have to offer isn’t appreciated, or isn’t what others are doing etc?
. . . This understanding is important to the maturity which, by the many demands being made upon it, the community is being forced to attain. (Compilations, Promoting Entry by Troops, p. 17)
So the next time you are tempted to do it all, remember that it’s a sign of maturity to know which part of the whole you’re best at, recognize that you are a big toe nail, and leave the work of the eyeball to the eyeball.
What are your thoughts? Post your comments here:
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:07 pm
A loyal reader wrote:
I read your blog post about the body. Just curious…are you familiar with the similar passage in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 12? If not, the link is quite uncanny. You can read it here:
1 Corinthians 12 (King James Version)
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.
15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
That IS uncanny! No, I’m not familar with that passage, but am happy to record it here for our readers. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:28 am
It this a case of great minds thinking alike :)? It’s a metaphor very prevalent in the writings of Paul. Another favourite sound byte is Ephesians 4:15-16 “…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” It’s a beautiful picture of how churches ought to work!