This is a beautiful post Mark. Yes we are all made in God's image. And I love how you say we have to take time to understand others and how they come to their opinions. For instance my family background is what led me to being pro-choice on the abortion issue. People don't just pull their opinions out of thin air. But some people I will never understand-like racists and misogynists. Both of whom I pray for. And I am praying daily for our country's leaders to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
I try to remind myself to ask, "What would Jesus do?" He said he came not to bring peace to the earth but a sword that would divide even family members. He warned us that we would experience divisions and hold differing perspectives, yet he also instructed us over and over again to love one another, even our "enemies" - a category into which we might place those who disagree with us and all the "others" in our lives. The Bible says, "Love covers a multitude of sins," and I believe it also covers a multitude of differences. We can't accurately judge someone until we've walked in their shoes (or heard their story), but we can choose to care about them, show them respect, treat them kindly, pray for them (it's hard to hate someone you're praying for), and love them with a Jesus kind of love.
This is a beautiful post Mark. Yes we are all made in God's image. And I love how you say we have to take time to understand others and how they come to their opinions. For instance my family background is what led me to being pro-choice on the abortion issue. People don't just pull their opinions out of thin air. But some people I will never understand-like racists and misogynists. Both of whom I pray for. And I am praying daily for our country's leaders to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Yes! Thank you for reading & writing Kathy!! Mark
I try to remind myself to ask, "What would Jesus do?" He said he came not to bring peace to the earth but a sword that would divide even family members. He warned us that we would experience divisions and hold differing perspectives, yet he also instructed us over and over again to love one another, even our "enemies" - a category into which we might place those who disagree with us and all the "others" in our lives. The Bible says, "Love covers a multitude of sins," and I believe it also covers a multitude of differences. We can't accurately judge someone until we've walked in their shoes (or heard their story), but we can choose to care about them, show them respect, treat them kindly, pray for them (it's hard to hate someone you're praying for), and love them with a Jesus kind of love.
P.S. "Happy Birthday," dear Gladys!
Beautiful! Yes indeed! Thank you Barbara!