Treasures in Diversity
Author: Pastor Tom Murphy
Sometime ago a man who sought peace when our society was frayed over race and culture in our nation wrote these words prayerfully:
“In our community, we are many different people; we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the ‘treasures of diversity’ among us. We pray in faith.” (Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
In a different setting Sisters of Mercy of the Americas prayed this prayer offered to God:
Good and gracious God who loves and delights in all people, we stand in awe before you, knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life. Differences among cultures and races are multicolored manifestations of Your Light. May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers. We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed acton and in Your Presence in our Neighbor. May all peoples live in Peace.
Our own Bishop Sharma Lewis in her Bishop’s “Call to Action” (Work Group on Racial Justice and Reconciliation) help write the following:
Open our eyes to see Christ who is in people of every nation and every culture. Break down the walls that separate us. Set us free from fear, hatred, and racism. Bind us together with the unity of God’s love. Restore oneness to the family of God. We pray in the name of Jesus who came, lived, and died for all humanity. Amen.
As I listen, watch, and read about the fragmentation of our society today concerning issues of race, political judgements pro and con, I find myself so disappointed with our human condition. The Prince of Peace, the Lord of Truth and Justice must be crying Big Tears over the state of our affairs. As the prophet reminds us, “He (God) has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) If that directive is true, and I believe it to be so, then we must join hearts and prayers with Martin, the Sisters of Mercy, and Bishop Lewis in their prayers recognizing the treasures we have in our diversity. After all, did not our Lord Jesus, say unto his Father in heaven, “…(I pray) that they all may be one…as you and I are one.” (John 17:21) Oh, that we might be ONE in Him and each other as we seek to find ourselves in this troubled and tested world.
About the Author:
Tom is a retired pastor serving Sunset Drive UMC. He has pastored large and small churches in our Conference and has served as the Charlottesville District Superintendent. Since retirement, Tom has served as Interim Pastor at three churches. He has served the Virginia Annual Conference in many, many ways and continues to offer excitement and joy to his churches.
