Celebrate Differences

For the longest time, mankind and human societies have been too focused on exclusions. They defined themselves by what made them different from others – religion, race, language, culture and even cuisine. Today, there is a growing consciousness and advocacy for more and greater inclusion.

Minorities, long living in the fringes, are brought into inclusion by recognizing and respecting what make them different. Economic growth is no longer measured in increasing wealth alone but by whether the growth is inclusive and equitable shared. And in foods, there is more and more fusion cuisine where the best tastes from different cuisines are fused and blended together.

We are slowly and finally learning that our differences are not meant to separate but to bring us even closer to one another. If we were all the same, what a drab and boring world it would be. But because we are all different, each day and each encounter always promises to be an exciting adventure.

Yes, let us celebrate our differences instead of letting these keep us apart! Let’s synergize!

Athirst is my soul for the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?
~ Psalm 42

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
Luke 4:24-30