I skipped a week. I know, I'm so sorry. But to make up for it, this week's post has a video!
Last Sunday I was on my way to church, driving in my cube, no worries. Then, on the side of the road, what do I spot? A roadwork sign... but not just a regular road work sign. This particular bright orange sign had a nice, black swastika spray-painted over it, with a little "wp" written next to it, presumably standing for "white power."
I was appalled. Not because of the content of the sign, but because this was the third time I've seen such markings on this same stretch of road. Frankly, I've grown tired of it. Tired of the ignorance, the hate. Why do people have to be so mean?!
I'm currently reading Love Wins by Rob Bell. I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about, and frankly, I'm not into judging something until I've read/heard/seen it for myself. Personally, I haven't found anything he's said in there particularly offensive. I'm only half-way through, but I think as usual, people are making a big deal over something that may very well be a whole lot of nothing. What I did find interesting is one thing he says won't be present in heaven- racism.
"Imagine being a racist in heaven... and realizing that you're sitting next to them. Those people. The ones you've despised for years. Your racist attitude would simply not survive." His point is that heaven (whatever he may regard that to look like) is going to be filled with all kinds and colors of different people. There's no room for bigotry in heaven. And there shouldn't be any room for it in the body of Christ.
If we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ, we have to love everyone. Everyone. Even our enemies. The Gospel makes that very clear. In fact, the only people Jesus ever showed anger towards (besides the people misusing the temple of God), were the Pharisees. The religious leaders of the day. They were the hypocrites; they were the racists. Which is why Jesus felt it necessary to speak in parables like the Good Samaritan. Why He informed us that the second greatest commandment is loving your neighbor as yourself. I've said it before- love is not an option. It's a command.
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he writes, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." At peace. With everyone. Not name-calling. Not picketing. Not arguing. Living in peace. It shouldn't be that hard. I don't know... maybe it's just because that's how I was raised, but I don't think it should be a chore to be civil to your fellow man. Sometimes when I see all the hate people can spew at each other, it seems so childish. Isn't so very "high school" of us to form cliques and shun the weaker/nerdy/different from the group? Maybe it's time we all grew up.
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