We are More Alike than Different

An overwhelming sense of peace swept through my entire body as I bowed my head, leaned my forehead into rock and began to pray. With time, the rough stone had been smoothed and polished by the hands, foreheads and tears that had regularly touched its surface. I knew this was a sacred place for the hundreds of Jews who came here to pray every day, but little did I know that it would become sacred in my heart as well. This wall had a story, one that no historian or geological excavation would ever be able to tell, but who’s evidence lies in the unmistakable feeling of holiness that permeated the site. I opened my eyes, but stood just a while longer. My gaze was drawn to the hundreds of tiny written prayers that people had so remarkably managed to squeeze into every crack and crevice of the wall. At that moment, I realized that God was just as willing to hear and answer each one of those prayers as He was mine.

No city in the world has as much religious and historical significance as Jerusalem. Even to this day, it is here that 4 separate and very different religions lay claim to each quarter of the city. To each of them, this city is a Holy place, all for different reasons, but holy none the less. For the Muslims, it is the Dome of the Rock and surrounding valleys. For the Jews, it is the Western Wall and temple mount where the Dome of the rock now stands, but where the temple of Herod once stood. For the Christians, it is the Tomb or the Holy Sepulcher, Mount of Olives, and Golgotha among many others. So, who is right? Well, they all are. In a world with so many beliefs and religions, I’m so incredibly grateful for the knowledge of the restored gospel. However, I’m also grateful for the many men and women of differing faiths that teach me how to better live my own. Someone once explained it to me as “Holy Envy,” a term to describe what one admires about the practices of other faiths. Before sunrise every morning, I would wake to the ‘call to prayer’ being played over the loud speakers. When I heard it, I knew that hundreds of Muslims were rolling out of bed to say the first of their 5 daily prayers. All tired, yet willing. In the streets, I would pass family after family, all dressed their best carrying woven palm fronds on the way to celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacle. Each of these people, though they showed it in different ways, displayed an unwavering and praiseworthy dedication to what they know to be true. Day in and day out, they not only participate in the events that accompany their religion, they wholeheartedly live it. They are all “right” because they all live their lives according to what they know to be true. I believe that God recognizes the faith and dedication displayed by his children, even if it’s in a different form than mine. He is an all knowing and all loving God that will bless each of his children according to their faithfulness and knowledge.

People tend to see outward appearances as a reflection of the differences of each human being, but when it comes down to it, we are all more alike than different. We all yearn for happiness, purpose and direction in life. We are all imperfect, yet trying. The world will be that much better when each of us come to learn this for ourselves.