Scripture: Isaiah 43:6–7
I will say to the north, click ‘Give them up! ’and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Thought for the Day: I have no idea who said this, but I love this illustration: “It takes many trees to make a forest and many grains of sand to make a seashore.” What a great attitude! God’s diversity of creation is an incredible and awe-inspiring amalgamation of variety.

While much of nature just goes about doing what nature does with little or no self-awareness, humans are conscious of their actions. We think about our place in the universe, our relationship to other people, and our impact on the environment. While a grain of sand has no choice but to gather with other grains of sand to form a beach, humans can choose whether or not to cooperate with each other. Unfortunately, we often choose not.

But I see tremendous signs of change all over the world. I’m hopeful that people of all races, belief systems, genders and sexual preferences are starting to discover that if we all accept each other as perfect grains of sand, then together we can create the most beautiful beach the planet has ever seen.

Prayer: God of all being, fill me with your love for all creation, so that I too may become like a grain of sand, the waters of your spirit washing over me and forming me every minute of every day. Amen.