Joy of Diversity

 

One of the things I like the most about my neighborhood has long been the beautifully maintained lawns and the carefully executed landscaping. I like the order and the calm produced by the long view down the block, yard after yard, driveway after driveway.

But at the same time, I love that random homeowners will give some space for flowers to grow wild. They till the soil, throw in the seeds, and water. Soon, happy flowers appear. They grow as flowers grow, wild and free. Yet they do not disrupt the beauty of the landscaping. They make their own contribution to the neighborhood. They bring smiles. They bring joy.

We hear these words in scripture, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

We, too, are a living testimony to the joy of diversity. Some have the gift of breaking the hard lines of life and adding joy. Others bring their happiness by growing in ways that are different from everybody else, spilling over here and there. God grows us all. We just need to embrace and enjoy.

Peace.