Embrace Differences

I'm taking an course that's walking me and fellow students through the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens book, by Sean Covey. It's definitely been eye-opening, but I'm not on here to rant about all that it's taught me. Just a piece that Abba opened my eyes up to...


While reading through chapter/habit 6, which is about what it means to synergize, I had to do a quiz of sorts. It was basically one of those things that evaluated your personality and boxed you up. There were four different categories one could fall under. It determined I was a "Banana" (pretty much a very organized person), though I did see a mix between that and it's opposite the Grape (sensitive/emotional person)... very interesting.

Nonetheless, the point with these different categories was they all had strength and weaknesses; that each could learn and build off of the other.

Why?

This is where I heard God tapping into my heart. We were all made differently. Not better or worse, but different. Would it have been easier to make us all the same? So that we all thought alike, did things alike, and fell into our place in this world with ease because of the predictability? Probably. But can you imagine how boring that would be??

We would never adventure beyond placed walls; we'd never think outside a box! God made us differently so that we could learn from each other and build off our weaknesses. I think we forget this... especially in church settings. I can't tell you how many times I've felt like I'm supposed to believe and think one way in a church because that's how everyone else does... but no, God didn't make me like that. He made created in me a passion, a love and a way of viewing things that no one else would ever see.

Why?

Here's an idea: if we all thought the same way and looked at things exactly the same... we'd never see the whole picture! Let's use a house... if we all stood outside a house and looked over one wall (while thinking with the same frame of mind)... we'd never move. But because we're all different... someone is going to say "Hey! There's more to this house, come around over here!" A creative person will notice the colors and textures. Someone who enjoys buildings might point out the structure. Someone curious will look around for the history in the house. Someone adventures and daring will find a way to even get inside the house!

Because our brilliant Lord created us all differently, we get the whole picture. Not as whole as His, but a lot more than when we stand alone. Maybe that's why --

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. ... And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 (NASB)

So when someone has a different way of looking at things than you may, don't stamp him or her down... see what you can learn. Show respect. Then they'll be more willing to see what they can learn from you as well; because everyone has something to offer in this world, regardless of if they believe that or not.