We live in a world of differences. Those of us born towards the end of the last century grew up being told things like, "Dare to be different." There was a push in media and education to acknowledge and accept one another's differences. When the differences hit too close to home, however, it's not always so simple.
There are many "different" kinds of families, churches, schools, classes within schools...this list could get really long. Impossibly long.
To list all the different types of just one of these groups, you would first have to define "same". Then everything else would go on the list of "different".
What makes the differences?? The individuals within each group. Have you ever met two people exactly the same? Not even identical twins are truly the same.
It turns out that "different" is just a word we use when we mean "not the same as me." Or "not what I'm comfortable with". Or "not what I'd prefer."
Sometimes different is just a matter of lifestyle preferences and we can say "to each his/her own" and go about our business without really being bothered. We sometimes think to ourselves "I could never do that job, marry that kind of person, live in that kind of home/neighborhood/town/etc., have that kind of wedding, raise my children that way, attend a church like that"...and on and on.
However, when asked to tolerate "different" in our personal spaces at our workplaces, churches, schools and families, different sometimes becomes uncomfortable and inconvenient.
This is when we are called to love like Jesus. It's easy to love those who are easy to love. But when people seem altered, contrary, offbeat, peculiar, or unequal (all synonyms of different according to Thesaurus.com), and we welcome them into our homes, churches, classrooms and workplaces anyway - THEN we are loving like Jesus.
It's not always easy because sometimes different smells bad, has speech impediments, looks unsightly, or exhibits behaviors that make us want to keep our distance. But not much about living a life sold out to Christ is easy or easily understood. Even by those living it. Yet, the beauty of His plan is unmistakable. We must seek Him first and above all else in order to see that beauty.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He performed many miracles. And many believed. He also spent a lot of time with those considered "different". He came for all of us. He died for all of us. Regardless of our differences.
He longs for each of us to come home to Him. For eternity. But while we are here, we must be about his business. Fulfilling our calling in the body of Christ and encouraging others to do the same, even if their calling is different than ours.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Matthew 5:
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
The National Down Syndrome Congress has a campaign called "More alike than different". People with Down Syndrome are different than people without Down Syndrome, but who really is the SAME? Even though this post is about differences in general, the link below gives some great perspective about Down Syndrome, which is Maeve's diagnosis.
http://www.ndsccenter.org/morealike/flash/
Regardless of our diagnosis, or lack thereof, none of us is the same. God has a plan for every individual life and we are to use it to glorify Him with what He has given us.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Praising Jesus for His grace, His mercy, His unfailing love, and our beautiful children.
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