Love One Another in Our Differences

By Jose de Dios, Executive Vice President for People and Culture

Post date: Sept. 21, 2020

Our vision for Wycliffe as we continue to embark on our journey of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is that we will be a community where people are seen, heard and valued. A safe place where our differences are celebrated and used as our greatest asset in service to the world. We will foster a diverse organizational culture where each person belongs and thrives.

At times, we might fear that focusing on our differences could be divisive. Some argue that we should instead focus on the things we have in common. But it doesn’t have to be either/or: Our commonalities help us build unity while our differences make us strong, interesting and fun!

In 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, Paul explains that: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (NLT).

I used to think Paul was referring to great theological, cosmic truths that God would reveal to us, but Paul is actually making this statement in the context of the subject of love. When we let our differences divide us as believers, when we exclude others or treat them differently than we might those who look or think like us, and when we don’t model love, we’re like immature children who are holding onto childish ways.

My prayer for each of us is that we will put away childish ways. The world wants to divide us and make us suspicious of each other because division weakens our witness. May we be transformed truly into a community where everyone belongs and thrives, and may that unity be a testimony to Christ’s perfect love.

Questions for Reflection:

• What are some of the differences you appreciate in your coworkers?

• Pay attention to your reactions when you notice the differences between yourself and people from other cultures, languages, etc. Ask the Lord to reveal where those reactions might be coming from.

• What are some ways you can show appreciation for someone who’s different from you?

Don’t forget to learn more about loving one another in our differences in this month’s devotional.

Para leer el devocional en español oprima aquí.