There was a photo on the front page of our daily newspaper this morning that made me ashamed to be part of the human race. A lady (No, a women. She was no lady.) was holding a sign that read, “Feed our Kids – Not 10,000 Refugees”. When we allow our inner dark side to express itself in xenophobia or any other evil we allow those who despise our value system to win. By denying what makes us special (our Christian values) we are lowered to the same ignorance as those who would destroy us.
What makes us special isn’t that we are richer than others and have food. We are special because we believe our Bible that says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.’” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Furthermore refugees are 99.99% not our enemies. They are hungry people who have lost their homes and area fleeing for the same safety we enjoy.
When someone slaps me on the face and I slap them back, they win. Even if I slapped them harder than they slapped me, they win. They have reduced me to their level. They made me less like Jesus. If we can only remember what Jesus’ very own did to Him, perhaps we can (with His help) rise to be like Him. And just one more thought for the woman with the offensive sign, in America we have enough food for our kids and 10,000 refugees.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 20, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org