Musings of Pastor Dave

What would the world be like if everyone were like me? How would the world work? All conversations would center on Jesus, touchdowns, home runs, king salmon, pizza and cheeseburgers. Everyone would be talking or eating, unless they needed down time at the lake to catch some fish. There would be no real comedy, only bad puns and smart $#% remarks. Fashion, art, and any kind of refined culture would disappear, but all would enjoy their backyard pond. Government would be kind, but barely existent. No one would ever travel beyond the nearest lake or coastline. Everyone would love to go to church, but church would never begin or end because no one would know what time it is. We would all sing the wrong words.

If everyone were like me I would have never learned life’s best lessons. I like the way life works. I have conversations that require me to think, learn and grow. I listen and I hear things from others, that I would have missed. Wisdom comes from many counselors, not one. People look at the same cloud and see many different things; I usually see only the cloud. I am grateful that others share their vision with me. Beauty of every kind is created by the folks around me. I never would have experienced most of this world’s beauty without their help. Some people like to argue; I don’t. Arguing gives me headaches. However, some of my greatest life experiences came because somebody decided to argue with me so that I could see a better way of living. I’m glad most people sing the right words and I love the sound of well placed harmony.

This is the thing I love the most. God has taught me so much about His love through the relationships I have with others. All of us are made in His image and all of us are fallen creatures. We can choose to see other’s sin and weakness (no love required) or we can choose to see others as God does (love required). We can choose to hold a grudge or to forgive. We can choose to judge without knowing or to know without judging. The human way leads to spiritual starvation and loneliness. God’s way leads to abundant life and meaningful relationships. God, in His great mercy, made us all different. He knows and loves each of us just as we are. His plans for us are good. As we learn to agree with God, we also learn what love is. As we learn what love is we also learn that we are loved. All things considered, I’m glad we’re all different.