Thanking God for Diversity

I am currently reading a couple of books on the functioning of the mind. The mind has always intrigued me, probably because I do not have a very advanced one. I marvel at what some minds can actually do. Those of you who have read my book Soul Storm (www.soulstormsite.com) know that I address the idea of the minds capabilities, though briefly, in one section which deals with those we call savants. The potential abilities and creative possibilities of the brain just blow my mind. That was a sappy turn of phrase wasn’t it? Sorry.

I am currently reading Born on a Blue Day. The book is about an amazing mind, a savant mind. In the book, Daniel Tamment gives his story of growing up as a “mind freak”.

Early on in his life, Daniel became aware that he was “different”. Dan, even as a child, would come to recognize that his brain functioned in a way much different than others. Over time, as he read numbers as colors and shapes, and as he calculated, effortlessly, amazingly complex math problems, he and his family came to recognize that though he was autistic, his brain was functioning on a staggeringly high level. Daniel is an example, in my view, of the creative genius of God and offers us a glimpse of the potential within each of us. Though Daniel was “broken” in some ways, like all of us, his genius was very evident. This genius is but a taste of the divine and astounding spark which resides in each of us as intended by God.

What is so enlightening to me with regard to Daniel’s personality is the “difference” factor. I think on this often. We are such a varied group of humans are we not? Musicians, doctors, speakers, writers, athletes, computer designers, artists, tall, short, beautiful, builders, culinary masters, actors, astronomers, baristas (thank God for these people!), and on and on. Part of the wonderful tapestry of this life is the diversity of those God has created. This is what makes life so interesting.

In thinking on the diversity of human personalities and the diversity within God’s creation I was reminded yesterday just how marvelous this tapestry we call life truly is. Think how boring life would be if we were all the same. Consider how much drama, beauty, intrigue, and joy is brought into our lives as a direct result of the differences that exist within the human psyche. Even as I sit here, in a town far from my home, I am taking note just how “different” people here talk, look, carry themselves, and dress. It is great to be outside the routine and experience life from a different vantage point.

As you gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, make a concerted effort to consider the wonder of all the personalities engaged that day, and give God praise for His creative genius. Try not to focus on all the personality defects at the dinner table and just take not of the wondrous genius of a creative God and the potential that lies within each person there. Then make a prayerful effort to be used by God to offer grace to all those present as an intentional act of thanksgiving. Look at your kids, your parents, your siblings, your cousins, and all the extended family and friends through the lens of God’s creative genius and be grateful everyone is not like you!

Thankful for each of you,

Bruce Smith,

optimuslife.org

This entry was posted on 20. November 2007 at 11:51 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.