While most traditional role-playing games tend to utilize a “party” system that involves an eclectic cast of characters, the Final Fantasy series has certainly demonstrated some exceptional range. From brooding protagonists like Cloud who had little to say to enthusiastic lead characters like Tidus who can’t seem to keep a single thought private, each game is filled with a selection of classic RPG archetypes like a soldier or a healer as well as a few unique choices like a robot cat or a big red lion. But this incredible diversity is one of the franchise’s greatest strengths, understanding that we don’t need copies of each character in our party. We need each of them to be exactly who they are, combining their unique gifts and skill sets together to deliver the victory as a team.

The body of Christ is full of an equally unique cast of characters, with each of us gifted in specific ways so we can serve Him in different capacities on this mission field. Just as a Final Fantasy party isn’t complete without each member serving a complimentary role that supports the needs of the squad, our differences are what the Lord uses to grow our ability to reach others and complete our mission. Let’s work together with respect for each others calling and gifts, even if some serve Him in a different manner than us. We are all part of one body, united by Christ to reach the world.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 1 Corinthians 12:15-18

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My favorite part of the Kingdom Hearts franchise has always been the incredible diversity of all of the characters that make it up. Gaming icons such as Cloud Strife and Auron from the Final Fantasy series battle alongside Disney’s Donald and Goofy… all while exploring levels based on films featuring cinematic icons like Jack Sparrow or Tron. But this incredible mix of complicated protagonists and larger-than-life cartoon characters works because they’re all serving the same story in different ways… saving the world takes a team who understands that the things that make each of them unique and different from each other is what gives this team its strength.

We’re all called to serve the same Lord, but we will each serve Him in different ways… and the uniqueness of our calling and purpose means it will look different for every one of us. The diverse ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus meant that one of them lived off of locusts and honey in the desert while the other ate and drank with those He was sent to save… each of them served the same kingdom in different ways based on the specific calling they were given by the Father. Rather than expect every member of this team to follow Christ in an identical manner, let’s embrace the way we’ve been gifted to serve Him… as a kingdom of unique hearts joined together as one.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” But wisdom is justified by her children. Matthew 11:18-19

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. Romans 12:4-5a

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