Day 33: Diversity

God created us as a diverse people, and His love for variety is not just visible in us but in all aspects of His creation.

Revelation 5:9 “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 – "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."

Romans 15:7 “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” 

James 2:1-4 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

• God loves diversity. He made every tree, every flower, every snowflake and person different (Genesis 1). He gave us different skills and strengths so that we would recognize our need for one another and appreciate our individuality. Do you celebrate diversity as the work of your Father in heaven? Spend some time thanking God for your uniqueness.
• There is diversity in the gifts we have been given. Get honest with yourself today and examine your heart for roots of jealously, comparison and pride that can sometimes become a threat to our communities of faith causing division instead of the unity God intended through His gift of diversity. Are you partial to those who are just like you? (James 2:1-4) Confess those areas to Jesus and acknowledge your struggles. Ask Christ for help.
• The book of Revelation describes the final gathering of God’s people from “every nation, tribe, and tongue.” Heaven is diverse and beautiful.  Together in all of our beautiful, messy, glorious diversity we can be part of a robust movement that both proclaims the message of God and also displays the image of God to people of every nation, tribe, and language. Pray for our Gather Rise event on Oct. 1 to be a display of unity through diversity as we gather women of faith across Canada.

A prayer for today: Lord, give me your eyes to see hearts instead of skin. Help me to be a good friend to people who look nothing like me. Give me a heart to seek out new relationships, pursue diversity in friendships and purposely reach out to others different than me.  Show me my pride when I believe I am better than others. Give me patience and understanding when differences arise and above all help me to love, recognizing that Jesus is our common ground. Thank you for the unique gifts and abilities you have created in me and help me to celebrate the uniqueness of others knowing each of us has been designed for a purpose in the Kingdom of God. In Jesus Name.

Julianne August, Prayer Catalyst