"It Takes All Kinds"

“It takes all kinds” said a member of my small group, gently making fun of her husband’s rather direct style (which had just been on full display!).

Certainly you’ve heard this phrase before. It’s origin is the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, authored in 1605. There it reads “de todos ha de haber en el mundo.”

Like “different strokes for different folks” and “variety is the spice of life,” it points to the beauty and importance of diversity. And no more is this beauty and importance on display than the church! While we are bound together by our faith in Jesus: we are various ages, have different interests, and divergent opinions. Indeed, it takes all kinds!

This is, of course, by design. Just before his ascension, Jesus instructed his disciples to

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

Though we don’t often think of it this way, we are those who are far. We have heard the name of Jesus because these first Christians were faithful to the call on their lives. Like those who translated and passed down Don Quixote for 400 years, followers of Jesus have been translating, training, and baptizing the good news of reconciliation for nearly 2000 years! Again, it takes all kinds!

As we continue to learn through our Going Viral series, may we not mock or challenge others styles, but seek to understand and appreciate them, trusting that all together - when all six styles are employed - the good news will go forth like it has for 2000 years! It takes all kinds!

Pastor Curtis