Variety

My favorite question that my wife asks me is, “How do you spell…?” It’s my favorite because I’ll never be wrong because the answer is always correct because it is how “I” spell the word! It bears the McQuiddy twist, the Danny Earl nuance… the unique stamp of me. It’s a lot like spring time. Everywhere you look there is a colorful explosion of Scotch broom yellow leading the way to a Jackson Pollack canvas of wildflowers along paths and hillsides. On every horizon your eyes are treated with vibrant colors and diversity proclaiming the wonders of the Creator! God, like an artist signing His work, stamps each creation with uniqueness. Solomon surmises… “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).”
So, if God so loves diversity and variety… why does man continue to fight against it, demanding that unity is achieved by uniformity and beauty judged by standards? When one embraces that variety is more than just individual differences but rather is the true nature of unity… then, it becomes clear to one where they fit in. They develop their gifts instead of envying the gifts of others. They hone their skills in support of the giftedness of others. They discover that in connectedness is strength of diversity that can never be found in a cookie cutter world that demands sameness and uniformity. Suddenly, one celebrates diversity and learns to appreciate those who are not like him and yet are very much like him. One begins to see the world as God sees the world.
Now, the cynic may rightfully protest that unity cannot exist in a world where there are no standards or mutual concessions that binds all to an agreed standard. Otherwise, it is anarchy. If diversity is the rule of the day then what happens to law, order, standards and most importantly the challenge to excellence. There is no benchmark or goal to achieve… just everyone celebrated for the way they spell the word. They are fooled into believing their uniqueness equals success. Well, yes the cynic could propose such but he would be myopic in his view of excellence and success. And more importantly he would be fooled into believing that success was when everyone looked like him. Success is when the symphony of diversity creates a harmony that enriches everyone. One note may warn of impending danger but a melody surrounded in harmony is the true music of life. Diversity is God’s reminder that something greater than all of us conducts the orchestra and creates the music. Viva la difference! -DAN