the 'other'
Well, I am back, I hope you are not too disapointed in me. I was kind of worried that writing this thing was an arrogance on my part. But, my friend, Kathleen, was insistant that I continue. So here I am.
As I reflect on Kathleens simple request that I continue, I am reminded of a very important aspect of religion to remember. We must always be cognative, as a people that follow in Gods way, that the people outside of Christianity, or even our particular demnominations, are not evil people. They are not wicked. They are indeed sinners, but as always, we are reminded not to fish for a speck in our brother's eye while we have a log in our own. We are not called to judge others, but rather to love them with open disinterested hearts, just as God does. Do you approach people with a heart full of hope, or do you approach them with expectations? Do we have faith in people, or do we distrust instinctively because of differences of nationality or sect? Do we love honestly and openingly every person, or do we close are hearts off?
Understand that God works through our lives through all people. He sends us these people for a reason.
I am reminded of God's message to Cyrus in Isaiah 5. God annoints a man who was not part of the jewish faith to do his works. And God even reconizes that Cyrus "[Does] not know me."
I am also reminded of John, when Jesus comes to Jacob's well and finds a samaritan woman drawing water. He asks for water, which was unusual at the time because Jews did not associate with Samaritans. SHe reacts in surprise. He tells her then that he has come to offer the "living water" to the people. She sees in him what the disciplies have not truly realized at this point, that he is the messiah. It is one of my favorite texts in the bible.
What these stories tell us is that all people are part of this grand scheme. And in the end, we might think we have an advantage over others because of our faith, but if we cannot love the 'other', then our faith is meaningless. Do not fear, I know it is hard, but He is with you.
As I reflect on Kathleens simple request that I continue, I am reminded of a very important aspect of religion to remember. We must always be cognative, as a people that follow in Gods way, that the people outside of Christianity, or even our particular demnominations, are not evil people. They are not wicked. They are indeed sinners, but as always, we are reminded not to fish for a speck in our brother's eye while we have a log in our own. We are not called to judge others, but rather to love them with open disinterested hearts, just as God does. Do you approach people with a heart full of hope, or do you approach them with expectations? Do we have faith in people, or do we distrust instinctively because of differences of nationality or sect? Do we love honestly and openingly every person, or do we close are hearts off?
Understand that God works through our lives through all people. He sends us these people for a reason.
I am reminded of God's message to Cyrus in Isaiah 5. God annoints a man who was not part of the jewish faith to do his works. And God even reconizes that Cyrus "[Does] not know me."
I am also reminded of John, when Jesus comes to Jacob's well and finds a samaritan woman drawing water. He asks for water, which was unusual at the time because Jews did not associate with Samaritans. SHe reacts in surprise. He tells her then that he has come to offer the "living water" to the people. She sees in him what the disciplies have not truly realized at this point, that he is the messiah. It is one of my favorite texts in the bible.
What these stories tell us is that all people are part of this grand scheme. And in the end, we might think we have an advantage over others because of our faith, but if we cannot love the 'other', then our faith is meaningless. Do not fear, I know it is hard, but He is with you.
posted by King O' Mauve at 7:52 PM
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