I like potatoes. I like them fried, baked, browned, chipped, or mashed. But what if potatoes was the only thing I ever ate? My body would soon become sick because it needs meat, vegetables and fruit, as well. A balanced diet keeps us healthy.

Relate that to your church world. Although you may like one style of church music, perhaps we would be more balanced in our faith if we exposed ourselves to different styles. Diversity is what keeps any church healthy. Some of God’s choicest characters were culturally diverse. Consider Moses, raised by an Israelite nanny (actually his God-fearing mother) but educated in the idolatrous Egyptian palace as royalty. Also consider Peter, who was so prejudiced he thought God only used Jews, until God straightened him out saying, “If God says something is acceptable, don’t say it isn’t” (Acts 10:15 NLT).

Paul said, “I try to find common ground with everyone…that I might bring them to Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Apply that to your life today.

Tags: diversity, evangelism, unity