God’s wisdom: where similarity and variety interlace.

Imagine participating in a conventional ‘this or that’ game, maybe on TikTok. The options you’re presented with are: similarity or variety? In all honesty, which one would you pick?

Someone might say it depends on the context. But, context or not, every individual has a preferred choice. Not that I'm getting ahead of myself, but I bet most people would say similarity. I also identify with most people.

First, let’s take a glance at the world the Lord made. The Genesis account presents us with evidence that God made creatures after their own kind (Genesis 1:25). Yet, even within their kind, there is variation: “O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalms 104:24 NLT).

The pinnacle of God's creation, formed in his likeness—male and female—demonstrates God's wisdom in similarity and variety. Beginning with their anatomy and physiology and moving on to their personality, interests, and other characteristics.

Let's take a look at similarity and variety in relational terms, beginning with this scenario:

“We’re similar in a lot of ways, so we hit it off instantly.”

“We’re too different, so we fell out, eventually.”

A typical plot twist would be that the lips that uttered the former can still utter the latter.

Similarities. It’s the reason we’ll be very fond of some people—this fondness blooming into friendship or even marriage. It has helped us filter our relationships, highlighting those with similar goals and aspirations and sticking close to them. Similitude feels safe, convenient, and relatable. It comes naturally to us to gravitate towards people we share similar interests with, and rightly so. Similarities strengthen bonds.

As a believer, I learned that there is beauty in similarity, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church about “one body, one Spirit, one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God” (Ephesians 4:4-6). This, I daresay, is our “super power.”

Variety, on the other hand, means “difference” and is indeed different. Differences are sensitive, demanding, and somewhat complicated.

How many say “I like to be different” and actually mean it? Some level of difference seems more like a curse than a blessing. But, no matter how much they have in common, friends, family, and spouses differ from each other. 

Variety is why one friend or partner is the “social butterfly” while the other is the far-from-social “caterpillar.” Variety is what births our preferences. The age-long proverb is right: “It takes all sorts to make a world.”

Our difference isn’t the problem, but how we relate with each other in spite of those differences. 

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE IN ALL OF THIS.

Are you familiar with the narrative of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1–9? Similitude of language was one motivation spearheading this rebellious course. What did God do? He brought upon them much-needed confusion by allowing a variety of languages. Wisdom.

A world with only similarities or varieties will be a chaotic and boring world, far from the creator’s design.

While variety encourages interdependence, similitude encourages sharing life with one another. There’s a balance.

Embracing variety will teach us to be gracious to one another. Remember that we are called to love everyone, regardless of their differences or quirks. Pesky, grumpy, interesting, annoying, talkative, cynical—the list is not exhaustive.

Finally, to truly embrace love as commanded, not as convenient, we must learn not to take similitude for granted or despise variety. God, in his infinite wisdom, made them both to enhance the beauty of the world he’s crafted.

📸 - justbetweenus.org

Share our similarities, celebrate our differences - M. Scott Peck.

Now, go and do likewise, not because I have the right to tell you what to do, but because, in Christ, you are empowered to ❤️.