One of the most inspiring and encouraging aspects of God's plan is our understanding that He's building a family made up of members from such diverse backgrounds and circumstances. For example, He can call a person who is young, educated and wealthy. He can also draw another who is elderly, frail and of modest financial means. Some are fit and strong, while others may continually struggle with health issues. Some are products of a stable family while others grew up in dysfunctional households. And of course some are single and others are married.

As we prepare to begin our annual rehearsal of God's Holy days, we're reminded that Jesus Christ is the "equalizer" for all our differences. Regardless of the distinctions that make each of us unique, there is one thing we have in common: our hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). The upcoming Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread focus our attention on the promise of salvation, which is common to all of us and transcends individual and personal differences. The truth is that while there is no other hope, and Jesus is the certain hope for all of us - because of the power and love expressed by His sacrifice.

Generally speaking, differences can cause separation and division. People tend to sort themselves into groups and sub-groups with common interests and backgrounds. Often complicated social networks develop with subtle rules that limit with whom we can associate and relate. But we are called to be different. We are to learn the lessons of unity within God's church, and allow ourselves to be knit into close and caring relationships with people we never would have even met, except that God has drawn us together.

The process isn't automatic or simple. We sometimes struggle to overcome barriers that naturally separate us - such as age, race, gender or marital status. But as we make progress, we're growing toward becoming part of the family God is creating. As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Each of us will always be unique - we'll have our own personalities and appearance even within God's eternal Kingdom. But God isn't just gathering a collection of individuals. He's building, fitting and knitting together those who desire to become His family.

What an amazing and inspiring opportunity we have - to grow beyond our differences and become the household of God.