THIS IS US

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES

As I watched This Is Us tonight, I was reminded of the sacred beauty found in our differences.

 

For those who have not seen the show, I will not spoil much, but I will say this: the Pearson family's story reminds us that life is most beautiful when people embrace the fullness of who they are while also recognizing the deep connections that unite us all. 

 

In a world that too often highlights division, this show affirms a powerful truth: love, understanding, and belonging are stronger than the things that separate us. 

 

This message feels especially meaningful as we enter Black History Month, a time to remember the struggles of the past and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans to this nation and the world. 

 

Black history is not a separate history — it is the very fabric of our collective story. Our faith calls us to honor the voices that have been silenced, to lift those who have been pushed down, and to work toward a world where justice is not a concept but a reality.

 

Jesus consistently supported the marginalized. Throughout Scripture, He sought out those who had been cast aside by society — whether through race, status, or circumstance — and reminded them of their worth. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. 

 

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body — so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many."

 

God never intended for all people to be the same. Our differences are not a mistake. Every culture, every identity, every experience is a reflection of God's creative nature. Yet, for too long, systems of oppression have tried to erase or diminish certain voices. 

 

As people of faith, we must not only recognize this but actively work to dismantle it. From the labor and innovation of immigrants to the resilience of Indigenous peoples, from the brilliance of Black scholars and artists to the courage of activists fighting for justice, our nation is at its best when it embraces the contributions of all people. 

 

When we listen to each other and uplift one another, we create the kind of community God envisions — a kingdom where all are valued, where justice rolls down like waters, and where love knows no bounds.

Watching This Is Us tonight reminded me that differences should never divide us. Instead, they should be celebrated as sacred and beautiful pieces of God's greater story. 

 

This month and every month, let us commit to amplifying the voices that have shaped our world and continue to shape our future. Let us build bridges instead of walls, open doors instead of closing them, and follow Jesus in the work of love, justice, and reconciliation.

 

Galatians 3:28 says, "There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus."

 

May we live this truth boldly, embracing our differences, advocating for justice, and recognizing that, in God's eyes, we are all beloved.

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