Last night in my class, we read about the Civil Rights movement and talked about the importance of the Civil Rights Act. We also watched Martin Luther King’s I have A Dream Speech. In class were students from Afghanistan, El Salvador, Mexico, Sudan, and Ukraine. As my students were working on some reading comprehension questions, I had time to think.
I realized that at some point in the past twenty-six years of teaching, international ministry trips etc., that a shift has occurred in my thinking. Long ago in the past I would have said something like I do not see color as it relates to other people and how I treat them to express not discriminating.
Now I would say that I do see color. I also see different languages, different cultures, different people groups. But I see them through the lens of John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
God loves all of his most beloved creation-Human Beings. The beautiful diversity comes from God. I see the diversity and celebrate it. I see the value that each person has in God’s eyes. It has been my privilege to worship Jesus in many cultures and to appreciate how though the worship styles differ, each time we were worshiping Jesus.
Now I would say that I see the diverse people as all being in the image of God who created us like an artist holding a color palette. Different skin tones, different cultures, but all created in the image of God and all loved equally by God.
So yes I see color. I also see the whole person as being created in the image of God.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Beautiful, we need to see others the way God sees them, and colors are a beautiful thing
Amen 🙏
Amen. 1 John 4:7-21
Amen! I have not met other people from different cultures except in social media. And it is a blessing to read your thoughts about it.
God made us beautifully diverse. 🙏🏻
Thank you little sister. How are you feeling?
Amen
Well said. May we always aim to see others as God sees them.
Thank you Manu 🙏 How are you?
You are welcome. I am doing well. Thank you for asking.
Seeing color through God’s creative and loving eyes. Very well said, Matt.
Thank you Patty. How are you?
I’m doing well. Getting ready to go see my little grandson, but still not taking Aaron yet.
Amen and amen 🙏🏽 I always detested that phrase, because that implied that we are all the same, when we are not, not should we wish to be. The Lord created us unique and one of a kind and that unique as should be celebrated
Unique but all in God’s image 😊
YES….”So yes I see color. I also see the whole person as being created in the image of God.”
The whole person reflects God’s image 🙂
I don’t care for color. When I see people I see their skin not the color of the skin but mostly just the texture🤣I see soft, rough, flawless, old, supple skin etc🤣. But I love to hear that you appreciate diversity and it doesn’t strike negative energy in your heart. Be blessed Dad.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweet daughter. How are you?
Amen. 1 John 7-21
Amen! Matt, I appreciate the intention of this post. Jesus calls us to extend His grace to others, without making any distinctions. Your students are blessed to see America with its strengths as well as its imperfections.
Thank you Richard. How is life in Ohio?
I agree.
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”(Rev 7:9-10)
What a glorious day that will be 🙂
Great blog big brother. John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-21. Thank you for sharing with your students.
Thank you little sister. How are you doing?