Seeking Understanding

Unity and diversity are vital to the Christian faith. In fact, God Himself is Father, Son, and Spirit—One God, Three Persons.

The doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery, and yet it is also an anchor of hope that humanity could reflect that kind of harmony together—the beauty of different notes complementing the same melody. Throughout Scripture, God makes it clear that He is redeeming people from all nations for that kind of harmony.

Let’s be real, though. As beautiful as diversity is, it can be hard to handle well this side of Heaven.

Can I make a simple yet profound suggestion? Seek to understand before being understood.

Just when you think you understand someone’s perspective or story or belief or cultural practice, seek to understand one more time. “Tell me more about that. What does that mean to you? Where or who did you learn that from?”

If we are going to harmonize with someone that differs from us in various ways, we need to seek to understand the notes of their melody first.