Disunity, dissension, demonization, degradation, discombobulation, are just a few of the “D” words that cause so much pain and disharmony to us as people, community, state, nation and world. When we define unity based on being like-minded, we severely limit our ability to see beyond ourselves. When we think in terms of us vs. them, we stifle growth and cut off the God-given gift of diversity. Homogeneity can result in inbred attitudes that hurt all of us.
What if we could celebrate the gift of diversity as a meaningful and God given way to live our lives? What if we focused on the good in all people rather than the bad? Think of how boring our recent 4th of July celebration would have been without the gift of our city’s diversity celebrated in parade form.
The door to understanding is not based on like-mindedness, but on broad-mindedness. Unity frees us to be whole with all the bits and pieces that make up life and relationships. There are far too many voices clamoring for us to build walls politically, religiously, secularly and institutionally. Walls built on a foundation of hatred, misunderstanding, labeling and close-mindedness tear at the unity and mutual respect that is so vital to our well-being. Viewing our differences as a reflection of God’s creative engineering, can make us all bridge builders.
If we accept, even celebrate, our differences, we can break down walls and open doors to understanding and acceptance. We can be one, yet different.
Rigid and harsh attitudes toward those perceived to be different too often takes the place of compassion, love, empathy and understanding. God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our neighbor need not be like-minded, but rather be respected as a fellow child of God. We may be uncomfortable with the degree of diversity God created, but the rainbow that makes up humankind is from God. It is our reality.
Frequently the loudest voices that speak out on issues of life and faith are judgmental, strident voices. Abrasive voices often make it easier for us to lose sight of the reality of a loving God and our need to be people who share that love. We can seek to find common ground, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
In fact, Galatians 3:28 brings diversity into perspective when it says, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus didn’t stick with his own kind. He was kind, loving, healing and forgiving of people who were often rejected and shunned by the society of his day. In fact, his own disciples were a “different” bunch who found a basis for life, faith and meaning in Jesus, who taught them to reach out to the “least of these.”
Faith is not “what can I find wrong with another person.” Rather we are challenged to find what is right, and build a basis for unity in diversity. Faith does not mean like mindedness. Those we or others might label unacceptable are as much a Child of God as we are. Our beliefs can vary while celebrating our love for the same God, who loves all of us diverse, complicated and interesting people who have God-given value.
May our life journeys lead us toward unity. May our diversities give new meaning to life. The gift of God-given diversity challenges us to accept rather than reject our neighbor. May we live our lives celebrating and affirming the unity that can be found in diversity.
• Pastor Larry Rorem is a retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor living in Juneau.
