Difference. The quality or distinction of being unlike or dissimilar. That’s the benign dictionary definition of one of most powerful words in the English language.

Whether we know it or not, our world runs on differences. For instance, on a planet where land masses are connected, we humans have fought wars to form countries with bright lines that separate one from the other. We get stoked about Apple’s IPhone versus all others.  Why? The IPhone is “different,” right? We can’t really watch the Super Bowl wishing both teams well. We have to choose sides because while both are great teams which deserve to win, the two are, well, “different.” It’s Cardinals vs. Steelers–not football team vs. football team. Each team has it’s own story, it’s own fanbase, it’s own identity. We must choose one or the other.

When God created differences, He had something else in mind. It’s hard to read Genesis 1-3 (the creation story) and then look at a National Geographic special on Lions verses Antelope, or something crazy like that. Somehow I can’t see God smiling at the sight of a pride of lions chomping on a hopeless antelope. This is closer to what God had in mind: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together;  and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). Believe it or not, Isaiah’s picture of peace and harmony is coming soon to a world near you.

Why all the fuss about differences in this blog? Because I just saw this video. It’s kinda tough to watch, isn’t it?

Differences among human beings are supposed to be celebrated. But, sadly, we humans often look down on those who are different than us. What’s happening to Tanzania’s albinos is extreme, and easy for us who live in America to dismiss, but are we that much different? How do we treat the poor on our streets, the mentally ill? Heck, how do we treat people who are not a part of our “race” or social class? No, we don’t cut off hands and feet; we just cut them off altogether. Not all of us, for sure, but way too many of us do.

There will always be differences among human beings. The question is: Will there always be people who love each other, in spite of those differences?