I'm finishing up my sermon for this coming Sunday where we will be addressing the last of Reuben Job's Three Simple Questions - Who Are We Together? And this question really has me thinking about all that we are as human beings. We can be so hurtful, vengeful, spiteful, and downright mean to one another, and yet we have within us beauty, patience, tenderness, selflessness, and love that surpasses mere words. Over the years, I realize that we really aren't meant to be loners in this world. I know...I've tried. It's not that I don't like people or like to be around people. I love people, and for the most part I enjoy being around them. But...there are times where I feel the need to withdraw from crowds and enjoy some me time and space. I think that comes from growing up in close quarters. And it also seems that I have picked up this trait where I feel that I need to do everything myself. Not a good quirk to have as a pastor. Quite frankly, it's not a good characteristic to have with whatever you do in life. Because...quite frankly...I can't do everything.
This is where the Aw Dang! rushes from my inner most self and slaps me right into the middle of reality. But this is okay. God didn't create me so that I can know everything that there is to know. It's just not possible. And God didn't sculpt me into who I am so that I never share my life with anyone else. What fun would that be? Think of all the presents I wouldn't give to others. Think of all the presents I would't get from others. Think of the laughs and tears with friends I'd miss. Think of all the shared times with coffee I wouldn't have. Wait...share...coffee?!?!? Oh, alright I'll share that too. See...we are meant to share our lives - complete with warts and all. We're meant to play in each others' sandboxes - together.
And what a great gift it is to get to know about others who are not exactly like we are. And guess what folks, that's everyone! Because none of us are exactly the same. And that's how God intended it. We are uniquely different and diverse. Yet, there are times where we tend to judge others who aren't similar to us. And we tend to separate ourselves into our safe little groups of "fill in the blanks." We are creatures of habit. But this limits what God wants for us and it keeps us from living truly full and colorful lives. Can you imagine if we lived our whole lives with people who were almost exactly like we are? That's a scary thought. Honestly, for me, that sounds pretty boring. Cuz I can be pretty boring at times. I know...I've been there.
So God wants us to reach out and include others who aren't always in our normal social circle. Can this be uncomfortable at times? Heck yes. But this is part of the beauty of the gift of fellowship that God gives to us. Our relationships develop over time; they're not instant. And every person who comes across our paths in our lifetime influences us one way or another, and they leave a little (or not so little) part of themselves with us. And vice versa.
One of the points I make in this week's sermon is that we can have unity in the midst of our difference and diversity. Because unity and equality doesn't equate to sameness; unity and equality are achieved through solidarity. We all have our unique contributions to humanity. Unique, not better or worse. Unique. Important. Needed. All of us are important to God, loved by God, and created in God's image because of who God is. We are reflections of an awesome Creator/Redeemer/Sustainer. Sure, we won't always get along with each other. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try. That doesn't mean we should shut others who differ from us out of our lives. Life is messy and complicated, yet it's also meaningful and wonderful. So let's break out the Oreos and milk, and let's get some buckets and shovels out. And let's invite others into our sandboxes. Let's play!
