Recently I had the opportunity to "get away"...away from the daily grind of deadlines and decisions...publishing and promotions...ministers and ministry. Well, sort of. For the most part, I got away from the "business" of it all. But for those who seek God and follow Jesus, there really is no getting away. Seeking and following are what we do, forever changing us into who we are.

One change in me is in how I see others. Over the years I've met people from all walks of life -- people of wealth and none at all, those with power and those who sought it, many who walked in integrity and many who lied and cheated. They came from different backgrounds, countries and cultures, yet often saw the world in the same way...deeply divided, "we versus them", "me versus you".

I saw a lot of that on the island where we were staying. Much of it was obvious. On one end there were huge mansions and opulent resorts, all within specially gated developments. On the other were trailer parks and small houses crammed in limited spaces, filled with those of far lesser means who worked in the mansions and resorts. But sometimes it wasn't quite so obvious.

I like to explore and often find myself people watching. I notice the look on their faces, the way they walk, the tone in a voice, the slump of the shoulders, and whether they'll look you in the eye, offer a friendly hello, or quickly pass you by. There was a lot of division among the people I saw. Perhaps for some it was born from a sense of privilege, for some simply the desire to have what others have.

But that was only a small portion of the people I saw. There were far more divisions that had nothing to do with wealth and status. These centered on where people were from, age, politics, race, and religion. Don't misunderstand. I met many friendly people, but the intensity of the divisions was disturbing, especially within what appeared to be the Christian community there. You name the group and they were there...on their own...by themselves. And that got me to thinking.

One of Jesus' disciples, Peter, was once a "we versus them" kind of guy. Everyone not a Jew was a Gentile and considered unclean and impure. This division naturally led to separation and favoritism. My emphasis here is on naturally. It was of mankind's doing, not God's. But in seeking God and following Jesus, Peter changed. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10-34-35)

Paul repeatedly taught, God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11, Colossians 3:25), and warned, I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism (1 Timothy 5:21). Jesus' half brother, James, made it clear that we cannot love one another and show favoritism. (James 2:8-10) Then why do we do it?

We want to be comfortable, so we stop seeking God and following Jesus because that creates tension. Instead, we seek and follow those like us or like what we want to be. And what we want becomes more important that what God wants for us -- to be His light in a dark world. Wouldn't it be great if what we had in common was more important than our differences...if our focus was on God and His will rather than our race or a political party...if it was no longer "we versus them", but us pointing to Him?