John 3:16….”For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Yesterday I turned on CNN to catch the headline news. Over and over again were comments, reports and concerns over racism! I was reminded about my young experiences living in the deep south. When I was in elementary school I remember the announcements and cautions given to our school. History was unfolding but at my young age all I understood was everyone was making a huge issue over new students coming to our school.
I suppose it was my first real memory about “racism” and separation of people groups based on the color of their skin. I had hear some remarks that caused me to cringe even as a young child. I could not understand why there was such a huge issue that the little black children would start coming to my school.
In my heart I recognized God loved everyone, no matter if they were different than I was. I was also determined to make our new students welcome and to overcome boundaries that were not healthy. I prayed the day the buses pulled up to the doors of my school.
As I helped welcome the children who were apparently; were somehow forced to enter the doors of that all-white school — I sensed fear and real upset all around me. Not everyone engaged these new students or were kind. There were even rebellious parents outside the front doors of the school that day.
Because I knew God at an early age, He gave me compassion for what was going on around me. I volunteered to give school tours, help at lunch time and befriend those who were uneasy.
As I listened to the headline news yesterday I related to some of the interviews that were given. Because of the lifestyles in the deep south and because of some of the long-term racial issues that still happen- I understood what was being said on both sides. It is wrong to treat people hateful, and inhumane because of the color of their skin. It is also very wrong to continue to base what happened so many years ago racially- on people groups today.
If we hold grudges against people groups who have different skin color- or if we are basing our racism on the past events we are not allowing God to heal the past nor are we focusing on today. We must first ask God to forgive us, our forefathers, and to unleash the racists mindset in order to truly love as God.
What do you think about the political issues and the speeches about divisions of people groups? Can God bring about healing and tear down old walls and mindsets? It is my prayer that we truly focus on God and love as He loves. If we can have a right focus then it reflects our love of Christ.
God sent his only begotten Son to redeem all people groups; not just a few! Pray for one another and walk away from past wrong choices- that have caused division and injustices. In some ways, everyone must choose to change –the way they think; if they do not think as God does- showing no favorites.
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