Have equal concern for each other.” –I Corinthians 12:25
“Daddy, which one of us is your favorite?”
I looked up from my task at hand and saw four sets of concerned children’s eyes awaiting my decision. My three daughters and my son had been in a heated dispute as to just who the favored child was. They had, each in turn, given a list of their cardinal virtues and skill sets that surely made them the obvious choice. When consensus could not be met, they turned to their father to settle it once and for all.
“Who is the favorite?”
I know that God is a God of mercy, not just because the Bible tells me so, but because of the myriad ways He has shown me mercy and demonstrated it in my life. At that parental moment, He showed me mercy and inspired my answer” “ALL of you are my favorite! Each one of you is special and unique. I love you all equally.”
Smiles broke out on satisfied faces. Chalk up one for Dad. Did I tell them the truth? Absolutely! I love them at all times. Now, there are times when I might not like what they do or how they act, but I will always love them equally and uniquely (though they do stretch it at times!).
When I read 1 Corinthians 12:25, certain words jump out at me — words that resonate for all of us at Loma Linda University Health no matter where we work within the organization.
The first word is “concern.” To be concerned about someone means that they have become the focus of my attention. Something that is happening to them, something that they are doing, or something that they are facing becomes of such interest to me that I focus on it, see ways to help them and act upon it. Scripture is telling us that, if we are to become like Jesus and become one with each other, we need to look beyond only the things that concern ourselves and reach out to meet the concerns of those around us.
Yet, in this scriptural text, there is a qualifying word attached to concern. It is “equal.” The dictionary cites three aspects in defining this word. The first is sameness in quantity, size, degree or value. Our concern, focus and action for others is supposed to be given in an equal value and degree. The second definition means considering a person to have the same status and quality as someone else.
In all honesty, there are some people we more readily focus our concern and actions on because of their role in our lives — family, friend, coworker, supervisor or administrator. In 1 Corinthians, we are called to view all individuals with equal concern independent of race, social and economical status, gender and so forth. That sounds wonderful! But how can we create an environment like that?
How can we personally have an equal concern for each other? The third definition of “equal” gives us the answer: able to meet a challenge — being equal to the task.
The resources that will enable us to have equal concern for each other come from Christ — His love, His example, His leading and His enabling us to see others, love others and focus on their needs.
That is part and parcel of fulfilling our mission to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Terry Swenson, DMin
Campus chaplain
Loma Linda University