There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

Martin Luther King Jr. said it well: “We must learn to live together like brothers or we will perish together like fools.” And the key to living in harmony is to love your neighbors—all of them! Sure that’s tough, because our tendency is to love only those who look like us, think like us, and act like us.

God made people different for a reason—just as He made more than one kind of flower, more than one kind of fruit, more than one kind of animal. We greatly limit our understanding and personal growth when we distance ourselves from other people simply because their skin is a different color, their customs seem odd and unfamiliar, or they live in a lower income bracket.

Want to add color and variety and understanding to your life? Want to please your Creator? Want to make the world a better place? The next time you have the opportunity, reach out to someone who doesn’t look like you or live on your block.

God is the great equalizer. He celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of all His children. When you open your heart to God’s love, He will help you see your neighbors as He sees them.