Honoring Differences With Intention

This past week, I was asked to speak at a wedding in Senegal, Africa.  

Keep in mind that until last week, I had never been to Africa and knew absolutely nothing about Senegalese weddings or the customs of the village where the wedding was held. I was told I would have a translator, but did not know exactly what to expect. 

The day before the wedding, our group was walking through one of the markets in Thies, a large city about 2.5 hours from the village where the wedding would be held, and I saw some traditional robes (complete with pants and a shirt) in one of the shops. 

For some reason, I felt it was important to wear one of them for the wedding, so after bargaining with the shopkeeper, I bought one.  

Little did I know that impulse would speak volumes to the wedding guests.  I was told later that it showed respect and, along with the short message I delivered, was a sign that I understood Senegalese culture. 

The truth was, I had no idea what I was doing and knew next to nothing about Senegalese culture. But following that impulse showed that I was trying despite my ignorance. 

I learned something valuable from that experience.  

The world is full of differences—languages, customs, stories, histories, and ways of seeing that stretch far beyond our own lived experience. 

Yet transformation rarely comes from merely encountering diversity alone. It comes when we are intentional about how we see, how we listen, and how we honor the humanity of people not like us. Growth begins when we choose curiosity over judgment and respect over fear.

Marcel Proust once observed: 

“The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

His words remind us that meaningful change does not always require traveling far or mastering new information. It requires a willingness to look differently—to let our assumptions loosen, to recognize our blind spots, and to see others not as categories or curiosities, but as neighbors made in the image of God.

Scripture consistently calls God’s people toward this kind of vision. From the beginning, we are told that every person is created in God’s likeness (Genesis 1:27). That truth alone reshapes how we are called to engage one another. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly crosses social, cultural, and religious boundaries—speaking with Samaritans, welcoming Gentiles, and touching those deemed unclean. 

When asked to define neighborly love, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), intentionally placing compassion in the hands of someone considered “other.” Love, Jesus teaches, is not limited by familiarity.

The early church struggled—and grew—through this same work. In Acts, the Spirit disrupts assumptions as diverse communities are drawn together. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius leads him to proclaim, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). 

Paul later reminds the church that in Christ, dividing lines lose their power: “There is no longer Jew or Greek… for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Unity does not erase difference; it sanctifies it.

Being intentional about respecting diversity means slowing down enough to listen deeply. It means learning histories not our own, honoring cultures without trying to control or define them, and acknowledging that our way is not the only way. 

This work can be uncomfortable—but discomfort often signals growth. As we practice awareness and humility, our hearts expand, and our faith becomes more Christlike.

May we choose to see with new eyes—eyes shaped by love, patience, and grace—so that bridges are built, relationships deepen, and God’s kingdom becomes more visible through us.

Prayer:
Gracious God, open our eyes and soften our hearts. Teach us to see others as you see them, and to honor the diversity of your creation with humility and love. Shape us into people who build bridges and reflect Christ in all we do. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where might God be inviting you to see others with “new eyes”?

2. What assumptions or habits might limit your understanding of people from different cultures or backgrounds?

3. How can you intentionally practice listening, learning, and bridge-building this week?