We were not asked to be the same, but we were asked commanded to love each other as ourselves. So seeing ourselves when we see others even though we are not created the same. Because we are created in God’s image so when we see ourselves in others, we see a reflection of God in ourselves.
If there is ever going to be peace, we all need to understand and accept our difference. Yes, when God created us, He used every type of mold possible. Even our relationship with God is just as unique as we are. I just finished a devotional plan and in one of them, the author writes about people not being able to develop a relationship because they are too focused on doing things ‘the way it’s to be done’. Following rules that have been put into place by other people…really though, that way was only defined because it worked for someone…doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.
After Jesus Christ’s ascension, His followers all had roles to play. Even those weren’t the same. There were those to teach and there were those to cater to the needs of all. Even our journeys in this life can’t ever be the same, even if we share the same faith and worship the same God. One of the passages that really helped me to understand this is John 21: 15 – 22 (NLT). In a conversation with Jesus where Peter is defending how his love for Christ was much more than the others, Christ hints that the road ahead (for Peter) will not be so pleasant. Then Peter points at another disciple present and asks, “What about him, Lord?” and Christ’s response is, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
We have to accept that God created us differently because we all have different roles to play. Our strengths lie in our differences. I mean, imagine buying a piece of furniture from IKEA. It’ll arrive flat-packed with pieces that you have to put together to create the item you want. If all the component pieces were exactly the same, you won’t be able to create that one thing. You need them to be different (and to get along) to create that one thing.
Lately, there have been a lot of ‘us versus them’ type movements going around and I still don’t understand why people seem to think that the fights and clapbacks and dragging and canceling is what will bring about positive change. Our differences are further emphasized by our environment and experiences. Those are the lenses we view life with and of course, what is right or wrong to us will not be universally true. Shouting/shutting people down as a way of changing their views when they don’t align with ours is like bullying someone into learning. It’s superficial. They’ll know just enough to keep you off their backs, but they don’t really understand. Instead, their ignorance grows in the darkness where it is hidden. Shining the light of understanding is an act of love.
It should not matter where the person is from, their past, the mistakes they have made or their life choices, for we are not called to judge. When the Spirit leads us to someone to love them, that’s the only thing we need to focus on and act on. Because we are one under God’s love.
differentshadesofbrown 