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And God saw everything that God had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
-Genesis 1:31
The NCAA tournament just ended. If you didn't know that, you either don't care about college basketball or your bracket busted early and you forgot it was going on, like I did. The Masters is coming! You probably know that because, if you're reading this, you live in GA. When I lived in CO, few people followed college basketball. I grew up being unaware of it because my parents were from the Northeast and went to schools that cared more about hockey. And every year, my friends line up on Facebook to express how much they love or definitely will NOT be watching the Super Bowl. And, personally, I've been looking forward to the next Marvel movie all year far more than any sporting events. Social media has made it very popular to voice one's apathy. The irony of enthusiastic apathy is not lost on me.
However, a few years ago, a friend posted a cute comic (shared above). It was a powerful reminder that our interests differ as greatly as we do as people, maybe more, even when we share those interests across great divides. What joy it is to recognize those differences as a way that God shows us that we are made in God's image and yet with wondrous variety and calls it Good. God tells us we are made in the image of God, makes us all unique, wildly different, and looks at us and the diversity of life in creation and smiles and calls us Good. So then can't our many interests and passions that we share all possibly contain good as well?
Whether as a Lenten practice or a spiritual practice in your life, spend time this year in holy appreciation and curiosity. Mark it with the Masters. Find someone who loves the Masters or loves it more than you. Find someone who loves Marvel superhero movies and ask them why. Both of these events will draw millions of viewers and billions of dollars. Don't stop there with sporting and movie events. We live in a diverse area. Ask your neighbors and coworkers about religious holidays that happen this year. Ask about cultural events. Ask your kids or the youth at church about events, trends, trips they take, experiences they have. Practice holy appreciation and curiosity this year. Be intentional. And next year, see how it has changed you and how these events strike you in the following year.
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