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All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
-Genesis 12:3
"See our city the way we do." A Detroit, Michigan, urban development group used that slogan to launch its vision for the city's future. But the project came to a sudden stop when members of the community noticed something missing in the campaign. African Americans make up a large majority of the city's population and workforce. Yet people of color were absent from the crowd of white faces that showed up on signs, banners, and billboards urging all to see the city as they did.
The countrymen of Jesus also had a blind spot in their vision for the future. As children of Abraham, they were primarily concerned about the future of Jewish people. They couldn't understand Jesus' concern for Samaritans, Roman soldiers, or anyone else who didn't share their family roots, rabbis, or temple worship.
I relate to the blind spots of Detroit and Jerusalem. I too tend to see only people whose life experience I understand. Yet God has a way of bringing about His unity amid our diversity. We're more alike than we realize.
Our God chose a desert nomad by the name of Abram to bring blessing to all the people of the world (Genesis 12:1-3). Jesus knows and loves everyone we don't yet know or love. Together we live by the grace and mercy of One who can help us see one another, our cities, and His kingdom-as He does.
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