Sunday, August 24, 2008
by Lynne Chapman

Word of the Day - Eclectic

 

Eclectic is an adjective, meaning drawn from many sources or varied. You might have an eclectic style of home decorating with some furnishings that are family heirlooms, some contemporary in design and some with an Asian feel.

Often an eclectic grouping may be cause for discord. The pieces of an eclectic group may not fit together. There are different angles, edges and colors that may not blend easily. If the eclectic group is a group of people, some of them may be uncomfortable. The differences in up-bringing, culture and beliefs can easily cause disagreements and hostility. The differences can give rise to fear. We are often afraid of what we don’t understand and we hold on tight to what is familiar. We like to hang out with those who dress like us and think like us and we tend to stay away from those who are different.

It is interesting that this word came up today. It’s Sunday and I just returned from witnessing a baptism at the lake. The group being baptized and those of us who were watching were what you might call an eclectic group. There were young people, college aged, thirty-somethings, and retired folk going into the water to declare their allegiance to Jesus. Tomorrow they will return to their daily lives. Some of them will be wearing business suits, some will wear blue jeans or peasant skirts, and some will put on their cover-alls to work in the barn. We come from different cultures and nationalities but this afternoon, at the lake, we were the perfect blend. We represent Christ followers around the world. With all of our differences, we come together for one purpose – to worship Jesus Christ and to make Him Lord and Savior of our lives. At the moment each new Christian came up out of the water, we applauded with one heart. Many of us were remembering the day we declared our desire to make Jesus Christ Lord of our own life. The joy we felt then is the joy we feel for each new Christ follower. It is a feeling that is all the more meaningful because of this eclectic group. The love of Christ brings all things together and causes all shapes and sizes to fit in perfect unity. Those whose hearts are focused on Him are brothers and sisters of one family – with one Father.