So Different, But Still the Same
by John Michalak
Genesis 2:22-23
The LORD God made a woman from the rib which he had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.”
We are so different.
Men. Women. Adults. Children. Urban. Rural. Nationality. Race. Rich. Poor. There are so many differences, it sometimes feels like we need a translator to have a simple conversation.
But, despite our differences, we’re also the same. Male, female, foreigner, citizen, most people generally want the same things: family, safety, respect, love, and truth.
In the beginning, this mystery was birthed: Man stood alone, but God brought him a woman — someone who was the same — created from his very flesh — and someone who was so different, who he would spend the rest of his life trying to understand.
To genuinely represent God’s love to others, we must reach out to those who are different — we must appreciate another person’s perspective. And we must never allow our differences to prevent us from joining together in the things that unify us, especially in our mutual need for God.
Reflection
Who do I know who is different from me, who’s situation is difficult for me to understand? I will ask for God’s love and compassion to flow through me and for the discernment to see how we are the same.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Please remind me how You embraced those who were different and showed us our mutual need to follow You. Help me reach out to those who may be different from me, but who are still Your children. In Your name I pray, Amen.
