Stunted by Sameness

I just read this article on the explorefaith.org Web site. It's an interesting and important reminder regarding the benefit of diversity in our lives.

We all have our comfortable circles. There are places where we feel we belong and we are understood. As the theme song from Cheers says. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. And they're always glad you came." Everybody needs places of such refuge and belonging

But being comfortable with like-minded people can produce a spiritual ghetto that at its worst can turn into mob-think. There is something stimulated when you find yourself among strangers, without title or standing, listening to ideas and thoughts that come from a different and challenging perspective.

We need one another in all of our diversity. That's a lesson we get from Jesus who crossed all kinds of religious and cultural barriers to interact with those who were different from him and different from each other. St. Paul offers the image of the body. A complete humanity needs all parts of the body. The ear can't say to the eye, "I have no need of you."

I don't have enough diversity in my life. These days, it seems you have to seek out diversity. It's so easy to miss or avoid. Like-minded people go to the same churches ... they work in the same companies ... they want and like to spend time with each other. And there's nothing wrong with that. But it's also limiting. I guess I'll add "seek out diverse perspectives" to my ever-growing to-do list. I wish there was an easier way for diverse perspectives to find me. Any suggestions?