Guest Preacher

Have you ever felt the need to pretend to be someone you're not to impress others or fit in? It's a common human tendency, but one that can lead us astray from our authentic selves and, more importantly, from God's vision for our lives and communities.

Consider the story of Peter in the book of Acts, chapter 10. Peter, a devout Jew and leader in the early church, finds himself challenged by a divine vision that pushes him far outside his comfort zone. As he's praying on a rooftop, hungry and waiting for a meal, he falls into a trance. In this state, he sees the heavens open and a large sheet descending, filled with all kinds of animals – including those considered unclean by Jewish dietary laws.

A voice commands Peter, "Get up, kill and eat." But Peter, clinging to his religious traditions, refuses: "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean." The voice responds with a profound statement that would reshape Peter's understanding of God's kingdom: "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

This vision, repeated three times, wasn't just about food. It was God's way of preparing Peter for a paradigm shift in his understanding of who could be included in the community of faith. Shortly after this vision, Peter is visited by messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion – a Gentile, someone Peter would typically avoid associating with. But guided by the Spirit and his recent vision, Peter takes the radical step of inviting these Gentiles into his home and later visits Cornelius, crossing cultural and religious boundaries that had long separated Jews and Gentiles.

This pivotal moment in the early church's history teaches us a crucial lesson: God's kingdom is not meant to be a monoculture. It's designed to be diverse, inclusive, and rich with varied perspectives and experiences.

The danger of monocultures isn't limited to spiritual realms. History provides stark examples of the vulnerabilities created by lack of diversity. Consider the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. Ireland's reliance on a single potato variety – the Irish Lumper – left the entire nation susceptible when a blight struck. The result was catastrophic: one million deaths and two million fleeing the country. This tragedy underscores a truth that extends beyond agriculture – diversity provides resilience and strength.

In our faith communities, embracing diversity isn't just about being politically correct or following societal trends. It's about reflecting the multifaceted nature of God Himself. C.S. Lewis beautifully articulated this concept in his book "The Four Loves." Reflecting on his friendships, particularly with J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams, Lewis realized that each friend brought out unique aspects of the others. He wrote, "In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself, I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets."

Lewis extends this idea to our relationship with God. If we can't fully appreciate the complexity of our human friends alone, how much more do we need a diverse community to grasp the infinite nature of God? We need "other lights" to illuminate the many facets of God's character and works.

This truth is reflected in the very structure of the Gospels. We don't have just one account of Jesus' life and ministry, but four. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each provide unique perspectives, emphasizing different aspects of Jesus' teachings and actions. Even in the canon of Scripture, God values diversity of viewpoint and experience.

Jesus himself modeled this appreciation for diversity in his choice of disciples. He brought together individuals from vastly different backgrounds – from Matthew the tax collector who worked for the Roman Empire to Simon the Zealot who actively opposed it. Jesus saw value in these varied perspectives and experiences, using them to build a movement that would change the world.

So what does this mean for us today? It's a call to intentionally seek out and value perspectives different from our own. It's an invitation to build faith communities that reflect the wide spectrum of God's creation. It's a challenge to resist the comfort of homogeneity and embrace the beautiful messiness of diversity.

As we go about our daily lives, we're called to "let our light shine" – not just to those who are like us, but to everyone we encounter. We're meant to spread the good news that, as Peter realized, "God shows no favoritism." The door to God's kingdom is open to all who seek Him, regardless of background, culture, or past experiences.

Embracing diversity in our faith communities isn't always easy. It can be uncomfortable, challenging our preconceptions and pushing us to grow. But it's in this stretching that we often find the richest blessings. We discover new facets of God's character, gain fresh insights into Scripture, and develop a more robust and resilient faith.

Let's commit to being a people who, like Peter, are willing to have our perspectives challenged and expanded. Let's create spaces where different voices are not just tolerated but celebrated, recognizing that each unique perspective brings us closer to understanding the fullness of God's nature and plan.

As we step out our front doors each day, may we do so with the enthusiasm of a child eager to "let it shine." May we approach each interaction as an opportunity to both share and receive light, knowing that it's in the interplay of our diverse experiences and understandings that God's glory is most fully revealed.

The door to God's kingdom is open wide. Let's work together to ensure that our churches and communities reflect that openness, shining the light of Christ both deep and wide, embracing the beautiful diversity of God's creation.