Vive la difference

This saying, translated "long live the difference", is usually used as an appreciatory term concerning the differences between genders. For the purpose of this post, I would like to take it in a different direction and focus more on the differences between people.

Were we all the same, life would be very boring. I believe we can all agree on that. God has uniquely created every one of us and we each have different personalities, looks, and behaviors, among other attributes. We are each gifted in various ways, each bringing strengths and weaknesses to the table.

This is why a strong team is comprised of various individuals who have certain roles to play which contribute to the success, or failure, of the team. I could manage a football team of the NFL's 11 best quarterbacks and put them up against the worst arena league team. The quarterbacks would lose because they are primarily gifted in the same ways. The diversity of the other teams athletes would propel them to victory. The quarterbacks would suffer from too much ego, not enough size, too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

Putting football aside, the same holds true in life. That which can make us strong can also divide us. The greater the diversity among us, the greater the opportunity for misunderstandings, conflicts, and problematic issues. Different beliefs, politics, language, levels of understanding on certain issues, upbringings, etc.., often complicate matters. A good team has to work hard to "gel", learn their roles, set aside differences, and learn to appreciate the strengths that each person brings while mitigating any areas of weakness.

My main point: I am learning that it is important that we value others viewpoints and treat them with the same respect that we appreciate ourselves. It is important that we learn to be open-minded and at least give the ideas of others a fair shake. We do not all have to believe the same things but if we will all get outside of our comfort zone and realize there are things we can all learn from each other, wouldn't our job, our church, our entire life be much more pleasant and enjoyable? I believe it would.