Genesis 1:25, Psalm 139:14

Kunle Olabode considers the importance of our differences

Kunle Olabode
Kunle Olabode

'And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and God saw that it was good.' (Genesis 1:25)

It has often been said that variety is the spice of life; in other words, differences (variety) bring a great dynamism and goodness to life. The sovereign God in his unsearchable wisdom created different species of living things and different individual organisms within species and he saw that it was good. This is a call for us to value and cherish, rather than despise the differences between people, whether in terms of race, complexion, status, outlook and general approaches to life. By so doing we are more likely to derive the benefits of synergy instead of the losses from division.

During a recent church event in London, Roy Crowne (Co-ordinator for HOPE, a Christian Charity) spoke about wonderful differences inherent within the Church of Jesus Christ and the need to translate these differences into a variety of approaches for propagating the gospel in different ways to different people. It is our view that in order for this to happen as it ought, individual Christians must be proud and grateful to God for whom he has made them to be - fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)!

The notion of different by design also partly explains why any two people (husband and wife, for instance) can walk away from a conversation with completely different understandings of what was discussed; neither of them is crazy, they are just different!

We at RCCG Living Water, Stoke on Trent, recognised these differences and that is why this coming weekend the 23rd and 24th of November, 2013 we have decided to celebrate the God of all Nations in our cultural events where there is going to be presentations in different languages, ethnicities and dialects. Brethren are also encouraged to come dressed in their cultural attires.

We therefore pray for better understanding and unity in our homes, churches and communities; our differences notwithstanding.

God bless you CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.