I laugh so hard when reminiscing about the awkward days of middle school. I still laugh catching glimpses of kids facing that same stage now.
Middle school is awkward for anyone. I laugh every time I look back at pictures. I thought that I was the jam. I thought that I was cool, and for some reason confident. Trust me; my mullet should not have been a confidence booster. I think I was more oblivious that anything.
I think what makes me laugh even more is that as awkward as we all looked; we still had a hierarchy of social class. I mean looking back, I’m like did they not know what they also looked like!? Even now, listening to the social hardships of kids in school, it makes my head shake. In my heart, I think, if they could only see how awkward they ALL are.
The issue is that we still experience the same social hierarchies in life. We still look at people differently, and measure them up against a social status. We may even label one another with the same titles we did in middle and high school.
What is the point?
The truth is that we are all different, and that is what makes relationships rich. I am not discounting that there are people who clash with our personalities, and that’s ok. However, when we move into responding to others out of those differences in a negative way is when it’s not ok.
We associate people with memories and even stereotypes. Our culture sizes people up very quickly and then tries to fit them in a box of understanding.
We are all so unique and different. We all have amazing things to offer; even those we clash with.
I will be the first to admit that some people bug me. I do not always respond well when I experience clashing personalities. I have placed people in boxes and assumed I had them all figured out. I will also admit that I have been very wrong about people.
I love how different the disciples were from one another. There was some match up’s that make me shake my head. I would love to have seen the clashing of personalities and strong wills duke it out. The disciples also managed to love each other deeply. Those twelve guys embraced each other, and their differences.
Jesus did not surround himself with people who were all alike.
The truth is that if we surround ourselves with people who only mirror sameness, we would miss the many unique images that make up God. I catch a glimpse of God’s image every time I interact with someone different than myself.
This is what makes the body of Christ rich. There is such value in mixing up our social circles! Because mullet’s and leg warmers can be great friends!
How can you show value in someone different than you today?
(i’m smiling big right now for the gift of everydayness and knowing the random small things that end up in side sermons on your blog…)
i love that we see different aspects of God’s character and heart in the people He’s placed in our lives. it challenges me to LOOK for Him even in those people that are not just different from me, but are maybe hard for me to be around (or even those who have been hurtful to me). because — gasp! — He is even right there, showing me a glimpse of who He is, if i will choose not to turn away…
LOOKing for Him in the vast array of differences today…
although it is fun to side glance to one another when personalities collide. I was thinking too just how cool it is that you have a different, “tolerance” if you will for people that might be hard for me, and vise versa. Makes me chuckle. So thankful for the everydayness we get experiences these IN PERSON interactions!
Although I will admit, I LOVE when we both have the “what the!” look on our faces. haha!
The times in my life where I think I took the greatest steps back as a human being were the times I surrounded myself with others who were like me. We would all strengthen our strong areas but it was easier to let the bad parts of our natures get out of control. A mix of folks always makes me stay on my toes and I feel makes me better all around.
Great post, Tracee.
Such a great explanation, “we strengthen our strong areas.” so true. Great words, Jason. Different personalities keep us on our toes. I am grateful, and sometimes more conscious to be grateful, when personalities collide.