Written by MayBell Developments – June 15th, 2021
We are all made uniquely different. It’s not a new thought but one that many struggle to put into action.
How often do you see others judging those they may not even know? Or maybe you find yourself judging others? “Why can’t she just get a job?” ”Why can’t he manage his money?” ”Wow, those kids are so misbehaved – why don’t the parents intervene or discipline?” At the end of these questions is the fleeting, self-righteous thought “like me”.
We do this all the time, often subconsciously without even realizing that we are doing it. Forcing our own ideas, opinions, and habits on those around us benefits no one and minimizes the value of our uniqueness.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
– Genesis 1:27
God’s image is varied. His personality is complex as we’ve seen displayed in his names. As such, he has created us with many personalities and characteristics as well.
Male and female he created us. Not as one sex but inherently different in appearances, biology, and even gendered traits/tendencies.
I’m sure we can all agree that the way we were created in the Garden of Eden is by God’s great design and wholly good before the fall. God created us uniquely different from one another, this is GOOD and to be sought after. Our innate desire to make others the same as us is a result of the fall and a temptation that threatens to divide and conquer us.
Casting Crowns sing a verse in their song City on the Hill.
Each one thought that they knew better
But they were different by design
Instead of standing strong together
They let their differences divide
This is true throughout history. We push each other away believing that we are better than our neighbours. We are meant to rely on our differences and to use our unique talents, strengths, and societal placements to grow together and become a strong force to be reckoned with.
The story of the tower of Babel comes to mind here.
And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.
– Genesis 11:6
They came together much like we have been discussing. Bringing their differences and using them as strength to become “one people”. One. Unified. Undivided. They had a clear, united vision of their future; to build a tower that would reach the heavens and to make a name for themselves, anchoring their place in history.
We strive for this united front in a world where we find it difficult to make progress as we all pull in opposite directions; divided amongst ourselves. God himself states that nothing is impossible for those who become as united to a cause as the people of Babel were.
And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.
– Genesis 11:6
Now we aren’t saying Babel had everything right. Clearly, their approach failed as God destroyed the tower and scattered the people, diversifying their language for good measure. What went wrong exactly?
We know that God created us to be different by his design; that he desires us to do the impossible in His name; that to do the impossible we need to be unified as One people, God’s people. That’s where Babel went wrong, their unified vision wasn’t God’s vision. They were their own people with their own unified, human (fallen), vision and God knows the power in unification. He could not allow the people of Babel to become a unified force against their Creator.
We are shown the power of unification in Babel. As God’s people, we know His will for us and for the world. Putting God’s unification into practice means we need to empower each other’s uniqueness and set our eyes upon the Lord’s Will. As Casting Crown’s sings:
It is the rhythm of the dancers
That gives the poets life
It is the spirit of the poets
That gives the soldiers strength to fight
It is fire of the young ones
It is the wisdom of the old
It is the story of the poor man
That’s needing to be told
Let’s join together in setting our eyes upon God’s Will, empowering each other’s voices to do the Lord’s work in discipling others.
It starts with listening to the diverse voices within our communities. Reach out and listen deeply to those around you. Hear their pain, their joys, their fears, their successes and then unify, together setting your hearts, minds, and actions on God’s Will.
MayBell feels deeply “the story of the poor man that’s needing to be told”. Everyone deserves a voice. We advocate for those who live on the fringes of society. We would encourage you to read some of these stories using #maybellstories on social media or through our partner photographer’s webpage, Scott Aspinall Photography.
Do you have diverse talents that you feel would be beneficial to God’s Kingdom work through MayBell? Send us a message below.
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