Friday, April 26, 2013

Mind-boggling Diversity



"We come from God and return to God, and in the 'interim' we live in the presence of God--even when we do not know or acknowledge it. We are created in the image of God (the entire universe reflects God's glory, each and every creature and thing in its particular, concrete, unique way). Creation is a panoply of mind-boggling diversity, a myriad of outrageously extravagant species and individuals who all together make up the body of God.... Each creature praises God by simply being itself, by being fully alive."  Sallie McFague

Sallie McFague (1933- ) is a Christian theologian best known for her analysis of how metaphor lies at the heart of how we may speak about God. She connects science and theology for me as she reminds us we all live in God's presence and that the universe in which we live and love and have our being is a reflection of God.

Yes, "creation IS a panoply of mind-boggling diversity, a myriad of outrageously extravagant species and individuals" and we, together, make up God's body. When we look for differences between us we fail to see our similarities and the fact that we all are a important and necessary part of God's body. 

There may be difference in the color of our skin, the tribe we identify with, the god(s) we worship, or the goods we possess. But deep down our genomes tell us who we are -- we are one. We breathe the same air, drink the same water, and are substantially connected to one another physiologically as well as socially.

Years ago, during my time with the police we sought to improve and strengthen the quality of our operation by hiring a very diverse number of men and women because we believed, as we all should, that "diversity is our strength." 

We should always remember this and celebrate the mind-boggling diversity of the extravagant, unique, God-created world in which we live!

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