Appreciating Diversity

It really does take all-sorts.

What you’re about to read is not an advert for the political/social philosophy of diversity.  You might have a policy in your work place about diversity.  I know my workplace does.  As with a lot of employment policies it has good intentions, but because of the level of emotional and intellectual investment you need to make in the concepts it’s easy for them to get swept away with the Health & Safety policies and the equal opportunities stuff … that is until you get into trouble.  This is not about that.

This is about a chat I had with the guy who did the painting in our house.  Apparently one or two areas needed the fresh lick of paint that means you cover the furniture, put in the middle and work your way around the room applying the aforementioned lick of paint.  Those who know me well, recognise that I am as likely to be involved in applying that lick of paint as I am likely to be applying for Atheist of the Year. (As you might have gathered it would be a divine miracle for me to win that award!)

I’m not one to do a lot of chatting, but on this occasion the guy who did the painting in the house was also able to hold a conversation whilst applying that now well-known lick of paint.  It was only right in the light of this extraordinary feat to engage in the conversation. As we are oft likely to do, the conversation weaved its way around various topics and we stopped off on the issue of admiring people who do things well.

As you should have gathered by now I am not the ‘hands-on’ guy who is all about the DIY.  My idea of a good time isn’t working out how to fix cars or build models or otherwise get me hands messy with appliances. My beloved wife quietly mourns that fact.  Yet she herself is up for house fixing, rearranging and all that kind of jazz.  With that not being my field of interest and expertise, I’m thus in admiration for those who do that kind of thing well.  Now our dude who did the painting in the house is just such a fellow. He takes great pride in his work and obviously knows what he’s doing to ensure that the job he does isn’t a slapdash affair, neither is it one that barely passes the acceptable level, but it is a true work of beauty to stand back, admire and applaud something well done.

So there we were talking about how often it is the case that people are able to excel in areas that we either lack the interest or the ability.  Whether it’s academic stuff or hands on work, whether it’s in an office or at home or in the field or in the street.  It’s patently obvious that different people are good at different things and also have a love and an affinity to different things.  The deal is not to make some more important than others (though of course we kinda messed up on that deal), but to have the mind to appreciate what other people are brilliant at.

When that is happening, there is a sense in which no person’s abilities and gifts will ever be undermined or underestimated.  There is a sense in which whatever you can bring to the table will be taken on for what it is and helps to enrich life as a whole.

It is a pity then that in relationships we don’t spend quality time enjoying what each has to offer.  It is a pity especially in the church context that at times there are certain gifts which are lauded and applauded over others.  In some cases if you can talk (yeah I’m sure I mean preach too, but …) or you can hold a tune then upon you are all the treasures of the world.  Beyond that it’s a case of just admiring the people with the expressive gifts.  Others appear to be … well … less appreciated.  That is a pity.

As the dude who did the painting in the house and I enjoyed over his cup of coffee (I’m not a coffee-drinker, y’see) people are in a better place when we get a better view of all there is to appreciate from our fellow human whatever they have to offer and when we can serve the others with what we’ve been given as well.

Just saying.

That is all.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd