Divide or Conquer?

It’s a problem that has been around for centuries.

Do we look at differences between people as ways to divide us?

Or…

Do we look beyond the differences and look for points of commonness and conquer unnecessary division among us?

I say centuries, because it’s recorded in the bible.  This summer I began listening to the New Testament on CD during my daily commute.  You’ll here or read plenty of stories of divisiveness from 2000 years ago in the Gospels.

Each of us is born into circumstances that we have no control over.  My caucasian parents lived in New Jersey when I was born with blue eyes and brown hair 50 years ago.

You may be the child of a single parent, divorced parents, or unknown parents.  During my childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I had friends who were from each of these parenting situations.

Your skin may be darker than mine, you may have been born female, you may be from a different country.  Perhaps your weekly income is what it takes me a month to earn, or the opposite may by true.

Here’s the deal.  We have enough in common, simply as fellow human beings, that we need to focus on instead of the differences between us.

I am a Christian and have friends who are not Christians.

I am straight and I have friends who are gay.

I have friends who are 20 years older than me and I have friends who are 20 years younger than me.

I have friends who are liberal, friends who are conservative and friends who don’t care about political leanings.

Now I also have preferences.  I prefer certain styles of music, clothing, over other styles, but that’s different.

I choose not to let those differences divide us.

I choose to conquer the prejudicial judgements with an open heart that wants to learn about people.

Sometimes my openness changes me.  Reflecting on some of my beliefs from 25 years ago, I know I have changed for the better.

What about you?