Celebrating Diversity

By Vickie G. Paver

It was a strange and melancholy day, as I took in the scenery on my normal walking route in our small community. The clouds were dark and threatening, almost frightening, yet powerful and beautiful. The trees, with their bare branches, were a stunning contrast against such a sky. As I walked I began to notice each tree for its uniqueness. With all the leaves gone I could plainly see the beauty of each tree. The bark on some trees was falling off, on other trees it was rough and yet others had smooth bark. I found myself excited about all the differences I saw in each tree, including the imperfections. It did not seem strange, but it was delightful to observe such diversity. My heart leaped for joy as I thought about how God made each one of us so different also…with our own beauty and all our imperfections.

As I thought about the differences in each person that I know, delightful differences, I celebrated in my heart. God loved us so much to take care in forming us exactly how He wanted us to look and He took care in forming our souls. He knew who would have black, red, blond or brown hair and exactly how many hairs we would have on our heads!!! Matthew 10:30 "…and even the very hairs on your head are numbered." (NIV) Isn’t that amazing? My gray hairs are numbered! Your black hair is numbered! Also, He knew who would be born with physical disabilities. He knew who would develop overwhelming health problems and those who would deal with great sorrow. He knew those whose personalities would be prone to optimism or pessimism. He knows our very hearts, our deep inner emotions. He can see all of us…like I could see those bare trees. He knows all our imperfections and sinfulness, yet He loves us. What an example of how we should love and celebrate the diversity among us! For GOD made us!!! Let’s be thankful for one another for we as Christians have a common bond in Jesus Christ even in our diversity! Let us be thankful for family and friends who are a part of our lives and for strangers who cross our paths. Let’s celebrate what God has done! 

"There are two ways to live your life, One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though every thing is a miracle." ---Albert Einstein