Growing Through Diversity

The rock-paved street was rough and narrow.  Ivy covered the walls that closed in on us as we made our way to the Molino Hotel where a bi-lingual international church met.  This particular day our family was the first to arrive and climb the steps at this peacefully picturesque location.  Little did we know the diversity that awaited us.

Steve, a Canadian, grew up in China until his family was expelled during the communist takeover.  Hector and Anna were Mexicans who spent most of their lives smuggling Bibles into closed countries.  Keith and Ruth Ann were Mennonite missionaries who had previously lived in Ecuador.  Cornelia was of German heritage and grew up in Chili.  We lived in her family’s home when her husband took a year off from Campus Crusade for Christ to attend seminary in the U.S.  Each of these folk and many others made a huge contribution to our lives. 

Before this we had always congregated in with those who made us feel comfortable.  That is to say with those who were most like us - the same in educational level, biblical background, race, financial status and political views. 

We slowly learned however that having a common identity in Christ does not mean sameness.  In fact when all of our views and tastes, our likes and dislikes are the same our breadth of understanding is narrowed.  Insight is reduced.  Perspective is constricted.  Diversity on the other hand is expanding. 

It is consistent with the biblical narrative as well.  Early on the first three thousand converts of the church were made up of those from Asia, Egypt, Rome, Crete and Turkey.  Then there were also Jewish and non-Jewish, insiders and outsiders, slaves like Onesimus and free merchants like Lydia, the uncivilized and the uncouth.   

The infinitude of God is not explored one dimensionally.  The depths and nuances of Scripture cannot be uncovered by one person. 

We need poets and story tellers, women and men, immigrants and travelers, seniors with wisdom and youth who question to enhance our understanding, to challenge our thinking.   Otherwise we fall into a rut and fail to grow in our understanding of God and ourselves.