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We can no longer afford to live in an artificially manufactured separation. It’s not sustainable, and it’s not right. Scripture teaches: “Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor…Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers” (Romans 12:10, 13).

Other teachers come from the next generation. Watch small children who are familiar with people of various colors, ages, ethnicities and genders. They don’t see “me” and “them.” They see “we.” That’s the greatest legacy we can leave our children – a world that truly sees all of us as God’s own.

As Quaker missionary Stephen Grellet once wrote,” I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”

We have one life to get it right – to live in a way that honors our sacred role as disciples of Jesus Christ, the One who welcomed everyone at the banquet table. I can’t imagine a better way to uphold that legacy than to dedicate ourselves to seeing our commonalities first.

This message is excerpted from “Vegas and Jesus have a lot in common.” by Susan Sparks in the May 2020 Gather magazine.