After these things I looked carefully, and a large multitude, which no one was able to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, was standing before the throne and before the Lamb, having dressed in white robes and having palm branches in their hands. Rev. 7:9.
The people of God incorporate a wide variety of ethnic, racial, and national backgrounds. The presence in eternity of people from so many different backgrounds will certainly be a challenge. But this amazing melting pot will work because of the marvelous gospel of God's grace to all, without exception.
His people will model how they relate to others on His treatment of them. The redeemed will learn to appreciate the differences in others rather than feel threatened by them. In eternity such characteristics will produce joy and excitement rather than conflict and irritation. It is people who differ from me that bring unique and enriching things into my life.
A story tells of a water bearer in India who had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole that he carried across his back. One of the pots had a crack in it and always arrived only half full, while the other pot always delivered a full portion of water. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot felt miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
Finally the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you," it said. "Because of my flaw the water leaks out along the path, I deliver only half a load, and you don't get full value from your efforts."
"Did you notice that flowers grew only on your side of the path," the man said, "but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. But God can use and even transform our cracks and imperfections to enrich others. And we can learn to appreciate their flaws as well. That's what heaven will be like. And heaven will begin for us here to the extent that we value the difference that God's variety makes in our lives. After all, if the Creator had made us all the same, how boring would that be?
Lord, may I recognize the beauty that you see in the incredible diversity of Your creation. Help me to transform irritations into joy and differences into blessings.
The people of God incorporate a wide variety of ethnic, racial, and national backgrounds. The presence in eternity of people from so many different backgrounds will certainly be a challenge. But this amazing melting pot will work because of the marvelous gospel of God's grace to all, without exception.
His people will model how they relate to others on His treatment of them. The redeemed will learn to appreciate the differences in others rather than feel threatened by them. In eternity such characteristics will produce joy and excitement rather than conflict and irritation. It is people who differ from me that bring unique and enriching things into my life.
A story tells of a water bearer in India who had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole that he carried across his back. One of the pots had a crack in it and always arrived only half full, while the other pot always delivered a full portion of water. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot felt miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
Finally the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you," it said. "Because of my flaw the water leaks out along the path, I deliver only half a load, and you don't get full value from your efforts."
"Did you notice that flowers grew only on your side of the path," the man said, "but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. But God can use and even transform our cracks and imperfections to enrich others. And we can learn to appreciate their flaws as well. That's what heaven will be like. And heaven will begin for us here to the extent that we value the difference that God's variety makes in our lives. After all, if the Creator had made us all the same, how boring would that be?
Lord, may I recognize the beauty that you see in the incredible diversity of Your creation. Help me to transform irritations into joy and differences into blessings.
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