By Marketer Ash of Glenwood, Illinois USA

Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

I am convinced that our Heavenly Creator loves diversity. That is why God created each of us uniquely and wonderfully different. Yet in that difference, we are one in the Spirit. While there are many people in the world, no two people are identical in every way. However, everyone has a living soul and spirit in need of love.

Looking at creation, nature, the Earth, and its inhabitants, we can’t help but see the witness of God’s love of diversity. Through diversity, God offers a foundation for each of us to experience wholeness in community, family, and worship. Imagine a world where all people look, think, walk, and sound the same. What a boring world it would be. God creates us differently to be interdependent with each other and the Holy Spirit. We build each other up in the body of Christ. Just as the moon is interdependent with the sun, and the trees with the grass, we are with God for the Creator’s pleasure and glory.

Creation is a daily witness of God’s love of diversity. The body of Christ loves and accepts all into the body. Followers of Christ show no partiality but love one another no matter their physical makeup. As we journey in faith together, let us remember to respect and welcome our differences—God made us that way to complement and complete one another.

Prayer Phrase

“In his hand is the life of every living thing” (Job 12:10).

Trees

Watch the trees outside your window for a few moments. Close your eyes and meditate on Alma’s words about seeds and trees. If you were to plant and grow the Word of God in your heart, what tree might symbolically represent this process? Imagine a seed as it grows into a tree of life and blessing. Ask God to show you how to begin (see Alma 16:152–173).

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.