3.5 Critical Reflection Journal Blog - Important Learnings Journal

What is new to my thinking or learning this past week?  How has this new information challenged me?  How has this stretched my professional growth and development?  What are the implications of this week’s learning on my professional practice?  How can these new learnings be used to impact my personal faith journey and my impact for the Kingdom?

             Diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Three words that have changed the way we look others.  To understand these words better one must look at the definition of each.  Diversity – “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”  Equity – “the quality of being fair and impartial.” Inclusion – “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.” 

            Now that we have defined diversity, equity, and inclusion, to better understand them and how they fit together, we have look at each one. 

Diversity involves intentionality.  We are intentional about including everyone regardless of who they are.  Jesus did the same thing throughout the New Testament.  Scripture tells us that He spent time with sinners, adulterers, and tax collectors, the sick, the lame, and even the demon possessed.  When calling His twelve disciples He intentionally chose a diverse group of individuals and I believe He did so to send a message that we are ALL God’s creation.  The little song we sang in Sunday School comes to mind.  “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

            Next is equity.  Equity involves the intentional act of being fair and impartial.  Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:45 that “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous (just) and the unrighteous (unjust).”   His grace and forgiveness are for everyone no matter whether we think they deserve it or not. 

            Finally, inclusion.  Inclusion involves the intentional act of including or being included (a part of) within a group or structure.”  When I think about inclusion, I am taken back to the elementary school playground two of my classmates would choose teams for a game of kickball.  Teams would be chosen one at a time until there were only two left to choose from.  Eventually everyone would get chosen (included) and get to play. I’m reminded of the shepherd and the lost sheep who leaves the 99 and goes after the 1 who is lost.  He wants to make sure all his sheep are cared for and included.

            In order to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive requires intentionality.  I believe the same could be said about the love that God has for each one of us.  He created each one of us uniquely and for His purpose and He was intentional about us.  He intentionally died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to save us from our sins.  He intentionally wants a relationship with us because we are His creation, created in His likeness.

            So, what does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for us today in our classrooms, places of work, and even our churches?  I believe it means we are intentional about accepting the unique differences with one another.  I believe it means we give to others no matter their need whether it be big or small and by doing so we bless them and are blessed in the process of being intentional.  Finally, I believe it means we are intentional about making sure we share the good news of Jesus Christ with all who will listen.  For by doing so, we fulfill the great commission as commanded in Matthew 28:16-20.