My Community Padlet! by Dennis Wong

1. We are all made different

We are all made different and although we have similar features like 1 heart, 2 eyes etc, we can be very different physically, personality, gifts etc.

2. Our differences can tear us apart or pull us together
While we are all different, it is important to note that we are stronger as a community with our differences. If we all had the same strengthens and weaknesses, we would not need each other. But because we are so diverse, We can learn from each other and where one person is weak in an area, any person may be able to help. Everyone has something to bring to the table and everyone has something that they will not agree with, but it is important that we realize that our way is not the only way and we should not let our differences be the stumbling block in our community.

3. Listening to each other is very important and helps us grow our view point
Being a community means practicing humility, acknowledge that we others may have a better way to do things.On the other side being in a community also demands of us to use and grow our gifts for one another. Listening is an important aspect of community. Listening to understand each other is vital aspect of growing ourselves to be matured people of God. How do we empathize for the introvert if we only understand extroversion and vice versa. Spending time listening and serving others with different personalities helps us understand and maybe even grow in a specific personality. An example is of shy person who takes the challenge and joins a rotary club and learns to speak confidently in front of people. He now has the perspective of a shy guy as well as a bold one. Allows him to grow his understanding of the different personality types.

4. It also helps us see how amazing God can be to create people so similar yet so vastly different
The different personalities show us how amazing God can be. Not only does he have the creativity to form so many people differently, he has given us the ability to adapt and change. Our diversity can be a stumbling block for the building of community, however it can be also be a strength in building community. As long as we are willing to use our talents to serve each other, we will grow as individuals and as a community. In the parable of the talents, The master gave the first servant 5 talents, the second servant 3 talent and the last servant 1 talent. The one that was given 5 and 3 talents invested the talents and they doubled their talents and the master rewarded them. The one that got 1 talent hid the talent and gave the one talent back to the master and he blamed the different circumstances and the master and whatever he likely could think of. He was not rewarded but kicked out to the streets and his talent taken away. We too have talents and gifts. If we invest in them, we will grow them. We will grow the community, but if we continue to hid them or misuse them, whatever talents we have will be taken away.

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