Embracing Diversity

Uniqueness among us leads to diversity which can sometimes be a form of Entertainment. In the time I have been in the USA, my lack of knowledge on some American basic things has been a source of Entertainment to me and those around me, especially as I asked or was asked questions that seemed to be comic in nature. When I visited an American restaurant during the “Genesis” of my stay here, I got asked about the kind of dressing that I wanted. I thought to myself, do men here put on dresses? Do I have a wound that has to be dressed? Little did I know that all that I had to say was that I needed Italian dressing or a thousand Island. My culture is simply different from US culture and can often be distinguished by my accent.  Maybe that’s why people ask me about where my accent is from. Surprisingly those who call my way of speaking an “accent” also have an accent. Who does not have an accent??As I reflect on my stay in the “dream land” I realize that I have learned a lot about this culture and hope those who get to interact with me learn somethings about my culture.  God in his wisdom allowed us to be born where we were born. It’s not a mistake that we have so many cultural affiliations today. Our uniqueness is something that has to be embraced with open hands because of the following truths.

1.  Nobody will be you: God in his own wisdom made us so unique that even those with the same DNA have distinct values. So why waste time wanting somebody else to be like you simply because you think you are more perfect than him. We all have strengths and weaknesses and have to learn to bear with each other if we are to live harmoniously. No human is perfect, and just like no human is perfect no culture, ethnicity, tribe or clan is perfect. Being different from others does not justify that you are right and they are wrong. All that we should care about is building human relationships and reaching a mutual understanding.
2. We are here to serve:  God made us the way we are for a purpose, to serve him and those around us. Have you wondered about why you do what you do? Like it or not, what you do affects others, either directly or indirectly. We all work on products or services that are used by others. Not even those who claim to be self-employed are self-employed in the real sense because they will at least need clients. Instead of being obsessed with personal ego, power, prominence or position we should endeavor to do onto others what we would love them do onto us since we get things from others anyway.
3.  Value what we can do together: I have realized that nothing can defeat a united team and believe that every person has a something to bring on the table. I’m always amazed by the way our different gifting’s compliments each other. I know that my worth is not based on what I have (Talk of education, skill sets, resume, authority, net worth to mention but a few) but rather on how ready and willing I’m to let God use me wherever he leads me. Reminds me about the boy who had what the disciples considered little (only had five small barley loaves and two small fish John 6:9) and how God used that for his Glory.  I know that a team that has Jesus at the center can be unstoppable. If the world is to be a better place we have to let go of what divides us and cling on what unites us.

  

Being “You”

Have you had moments in your life when you wished you were someone else? Or wished you were born from a particular family/country or wished you had pursued a different career? Or basically found yourself drifting into wishful thoughts? 

If your answer to all these questions is a yes I would like to encourage you to develop pride and confidence in whom you are. I do not know what you believe in; Good Luck or Karma but I know there is a creator who designed you the way you are. He knew you before you were created in your mothers’ womb, watches over you and in his perfect plan, sees you through whatever life brings your way. You are the only “you “that God created. So unique and special in your own way. You may not be like your brother or neighbor but you can be “you”. 

The only person you should be in competition with should be yourself. You can determine to be the best “you” that ever lived. I love the fact that God created us in his own Image. Since we bare his own image, we can endeavor to be like him. Stop doing things because others are doing them but rather do them because you think that’s what God wants you to do. If you have the best Architect of your future (God) with you, you will never go wrong. 

We can overcome this technologically advanced, secularized and fast paced society if we remain faithful to the Biblical foundations. We have to silence the noise from our environments and get a peace of mind that the Lord gives. ''Be you''