Scripture for Today: Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

The Persian Carpet Flower is a beautiful example of “variegation” meaning a variety of color on the same plant. This flower can bloom anywhere from white to pale yellow. It is overlaid with different shades of burgundy, sprinkled with red and brown spots. These colors call to mind a Persian carpet, thus its name! This flower needs to be handled with care because of its bristly trailing stems full of small spiky thorns.

Today’s verse tells us that God created mankind in His own image. God is not one-sided and simplistic. Eternity will not be long enough to know Him completely! But the fact that He created us to resemble Him in some small way means there will be “variegation.” We all share the capacity to worship Him. We all share the ability to reason, feel emotion and exercise our wills. But we also acknowledge our differences, whether it be race, color, language or culture. This variation within mankind is meant to bring glory to our Creator!

Just as the Persian Carpet Flower needs to be handled with care because of its thorns, we too need to handle our differences with care. The problem is that our sin has marred God’s image in us. Rather than celebrating our differences, they are used to divide. Thankfully, the Lord can change my heart in how I see others. In a world so divided, I need to listen carefully to Him; to what He says about me and what He says about those who are around me. It is only then that I can hope to love others as He does.

Lord, help me to love others as You do.