This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. (1Corinthians 7:6-7)

I wish all were as I am. Why can't a woman be more like a man? I wish he was more considerate, but cum se cum sa. Boys will be boys.

We may tolerate differences. But we generally prefer like-minded company.

Paul - who seems to have been widowed - would prefer that others remain outside marriage. Shortly he will give some reasons.

But each of us have a particular charis, a unique God-given purpose and identity, to be honored as an expression of God.

How do we reach beyond reluctant toleration to lovingly embrace our God of creative diversity?