Expressions & Diversity - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Expressions & Diversity

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function; so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others. But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us.” Romans 12:4-6 CJB


Walking down any city street, especially in a major urban area, you see all kinds of people. In Charlotte, North Carolina’s uptown, or Center City as some would call it, you can also observe many nationalities – those from India, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, South America, and of course different sections of America. (I know this due to the Anglo-Saxon ancestral accents I hear!) Personally, I love them all.

In the business office I work at in uptown Charlotte, as the Accountant since 2012, we regularly have interns who come for the summer months. Some of them are still in college, while others have just completed their upper level education and are ready to hit the marketplace. They just haven’t gotten hired quite yet, so this will look good on their resume.

Often we have a wide diversity of these young “millennials”, those in the 20’s age group. They have come to serve with us from different Carolina colleges, having diverse cultural and societal backgrounds. This particular summer we have some whose grandparents were from China, India and Scotland. Each one brings a specific skill, knowledge base, and educational training, which are used to enhance the labor force the company already has. Having them around certainly drops the average age of the staff, at least for these few months.

It amazes me how diverse the Lord has created mankind. From every tribe, nation and group He has delighted Himself with such a rainbow of colors, languages and gifts. One country’s people may be advanced in mathematics, while another is known for their agricultural products. Some nations specialize in manufacturing, and some in high adventure, using their natural resources for the excitement and enjoyment of their visitors.

Can you imagine if we were all Anglo-Saxon Americans, or all Chinese, or possibly everyone was an African? In my perspective I would find that quite boring. I think that is why the Lord God of Israel created so many features, colors, talents and skills that each one possesses. Though twins are very close to being exactly alike, the wide variety of men, women and children are not, and it is awesome. What a creative God there is!

It has been a true blessing to have had friends from different backgrounds and genealogies. In travelling to foreign countries, and meeting new friends, I am very appreciate of the various cultures each has developed, with their amazing foods, clothing styles, and personalities. It is simply the work of the great God we know and serve.

As people express the various skills, talents and gifts they have, I encourage you to appreciate and respect that which each one offers to the world, for each is made in the image of our God, and has a specific purpose in God’s eternal plan. Accepting the wide variety of expressions, with multifunction and diversities, will bring more joy and thanksgiving in our lives for who they are, and what we can share together.

Give thanks to the Lord for His extravagant creation!

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Now Think On This #157 “Expressions & Diversity” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (06.21.14) Saturday at 1:45 pm in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This

Get the Gold! - Now Think On This (Steve Martin)

“Get the Gold!”

“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matt. 6:19-21, The Message)

I love the Olympics! Be it the winter or summer games, I enjoy watching all the nations’ athletes walk in for the opening ceremonies, all dressed in their colorful and smartly dressed uniforms (as my Brit friends would say) and cultural garments, waving their flags and their hands to the crowd, as they proudly represent their countries. It is a great sight of unity among the people, and the hosting country always puts on a fascinating show. Russians, Chinese, Americans, Europeans, Asians and more have all hosted the grand celebration of completion among athletes. I commend them for it.

It amazes me each time a new country is represented that I have never even heard of, or a country is in the games for the first time. Especially the lone athlete carrying his flag by him or herself. I hope they do well and make new friends. They certainly have worked hard to get there too.

Training and coming together through teamwork, in preparation for the honor of their country and their sport, has been the foundation built on for the competition. It certainly brings out the best. The goal of standing on the podium after their event is completed, holding onto the precious metal of gold, silver or bronze is a grand sight, as their home flag is lifted and their national anthem is played.

As a former athlete myself, in middle and high school, I understand a measure of the effort it certainly takes for these competing. To spend hours, days, months and even years preparing; and then to give it all you have at that specific moment in time, when you have a few minutes to excel in an individual event, or as your teams goes through the bracket toward the championship game, is quite the effort. May they all do well, and accomplish their heart’s desire.

I am chasing gold too. Mine isn’t made up of the earthly metal, but it is being stored up as an eternal reward, to fit on my head as a crown. The King Himself, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) will be giving them out. And then we will participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb ceremony too. That will indeed be a "crowning moment" for those who have received His salvation through His shed blood. It will be a joyous occasion, as much perseverance and running the race He has given us while in our human body has been accomplished. I look forward to sharing that eternal time with those I have walked with, and those who I will meet for the first time.

While our time remains here on this planet, our hearts are to be set on stockpiling treasure in heaven, as The Message Bible puts it in terms we certainly understand. Laying up those crowns prepared for those who have followed in His plans and purposes will be the award, along with the eternal realm of heaven itself. This is not just a dream or fairy tale, but it is reality. Our labors here on earth are to be for eternal, not just temporal, achievements. My heart and yours must be set on that purpose.

Enjoy the Olympics as you can. Celebrate with the victors as they raise their hands and winning metals in triumph, knowing that your reward, being stored up in heaven, is a treasure worth living for in this time we have been given. This too is a shadow of things yet to come, for those who know the Lord Jesus.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Love For His People

Founder

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This with your friends.