We Are One

With the complexity and diversity of human experiences, we share the same desire for oneness. This deep-seated longing transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. In the first two scenes of this picture book, we see two young girls from vastly different environments.

Their experiences are nonetheless shaped by what they see on a daily basis: seashells and waves, buses and pedestrians. But God’s common grace is everywhere, showing them how an acorn grows into a forest, or how a stone becomes part of a path. When these two young girls befriend each other at a lantern festival, the journey toward oneness begins.

Divine grace has many faces. We long for oneness because God created humanity in his image—the Imago Dei. Each person has this divine imprint and inherent dignity. God uses this thread of divine image to bind us together. There are powerful moments in life when we feel overwhelmed by our interconnectedness. It can be a restorative experience. The Christian community is a microcosm of humanity. As Paul’s metaphor in the Bible goes, we are one body. Our mission is to restore this oneness despite our differences.

Human beings best demonstrate the richness of diversity in unity. Our differences complement each other and should be celebrated. As the book describes: “If you’re a firefly, I am night. Together, we celebrate.” God has placed other threads of unity around us, including the shared language of love, laughter, and music. “If you are laughter, I am family. Together we love.”

This book uses simple words and images to explain these profound lessons of life. Parents can read with their children and guide them to reflect on the deeper messages about loving others despite our differences. After all, God’s world is too big to be only understood by our own limited experiences. (Two Lions)