Our Differences Complements

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. – 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

We recently had an African banquet in church where the food was mainly from West Africa. What an amazing mixed gathering of both white, black, and brown people! What an amazing display of a variety of foods, and colourful beautiful dresses!

At one of our church meetings, we were asked to read Psalms 136:1 in the various languages represented in the church on that day. The scripture was read in languages from France, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The passage was also read by brethren from New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, US all with their different accents. We also had the reading in sign language!

These occasions made me realise, and I’m sure for many too, that God is creatively diverse in His creation. Though we have different skin tones, languages, and cultures, it pleased God to make it so and reassuringly to us that all people matter to Him.

Our differences should complement us not divide us. As diverse as we are so also diverse is our culture, music, dressing, food, style of praise and worship. No culture, music, dressing, food, style of praise and worship is better than another. This is where we need to allow our differences to unite us.

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul exhorts us through the authority of Jesus Christ to live in harmony with each other. The Message (MSG) Bible paraphrases the verse as “…you must get along with each other.”

Getting along with each other requires that we learn to overlook or work around our differences. We need to work on what unites us. And focus on what we have in common i.e., the name of Jesus and our relationship in Christ rather than on our differences.

We all can’t agree on everything and frankly, it’s unrealistic. But when we focus on our relationship in Christ, the problem of our differences loses its significance and eventually becomes irrelevant.

We are all wired differently. We are unique in our make up. We all see and interpret objects and judge things differently.

Some need a little bit longer time to process information, some are blessed with a sharp, quick thinking mind. Some need a near noiseless environment to study (me), while some can study with music blaring in the background (my daughter). In some cultures, eating with the fingers is perfectly normal while in others, cutlery is required.

We complement each other even with our different make up and quirkiness. We need to recognise, understand, value, respect and celebrate each other’s culture, gifts, abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

When we do this, as a church, we can support each other, bring the best out of each other, and identify and address conflict before it becomes a problem. We will also know how to treat people with empathy and compassion.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)

When we have this same mind as Christ, we will be salt to the earth and light to the world attracting people to Jesus.

Happy Easter! Stay blessed,

LaraLex