I'd like to say that I'm a citizen who stands for equal rights for all people. But I also get that I am a white woman in America and many people believe that I have not suffered injustice, therefore I do not fully understand what the fight is about, nor if, and when it is won. But I can't help how God made me. He created me white; Appointed female chromosomes. He birthed me in America. And I am, simply who I am. I say this not pridefully... just factually. However, this does not mean that I do not have a compassionate heart for any who suffer injustice. I have actually traveled within and outside of this country, witnessing firsthand, women being treated as second class citizens simply because they are women. I have also seen poverty unequaled to anything this country knows. Where people live in dirt fields, huddled under rows of make-shift, fort-like "homes" made from lean-to pallets and cardboard. If the slightest wind would come, their cover would be tipped over like a house of cards. They have no running water and rummage through trash for food and supplies. Yet children actually seem content to kick a ball made of rags someone tied together, as they run around a dirt field... not a green blade of grass in sight. So I am very grateful for what I have, who I am, and where I live. And I do have some appreciation for what others lack both in human rights, as well as provision and protection. But that does not minimize my heart, nor my desire to persuade others to be moved toward change. No, I may not have suffered the discrimination that others have, but that does not mean that I too cannot fight for equal rights. No, I may not have suffered from poverty, nor homelessness, but that does not mean that I too cannot feed and care for those in great need. No, I may not have suffered from abduction, nor human trafficking, but that does not mean that I too cannot fight for the rescue, recovery and restoration of those who have suffered, and the capture and conviction of those who have violated them. But I'll tell you what I have suffered. And that is sin. I have suffered from my pride. I have suffered from my selfishness. I have suffered from mistakes, wrong choices, judgement and shame. And that does mean that I too have earned the wages of sin. But I am ever grateful that there was One much more compassionate that any of us. But I didn't have to be one of His disciples, one of those so fortunate to have walked and talked with Him to have witnessed His love in order to receive it. Thankfully, because they shared openly what they experienced and were obedient to tell of Him we too can share in this... Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. And He ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all-- the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.” Acts 10:34, 42-43 Please understand... when Peter preached this message it changed everything! THIS was a VERY big deal. Because before this, the disciples were only telling of the resurrection of Jesus to the Jews. But this happened after God introduced Peter to a Roman Centurion. He gave them both inspiration so that the two nations... the Jews and the Gentiles (that's everyone) would be given the opportunity to receive forgiveness. THIS was GOOD news indeed! This IS good news INDEED! God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. Everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name. Equal rights in Jesus for all. I am grateful that we do not need to fight for this one. We do not need to live in each other's shoe to have access to this. We have a compassionate God who created us all uniquely and loves us all more than enough that He gave His own life, a sacrifice. Isn't that much to rejoice and set aside our differences? Is there really any more to say? Word of God train me today... To set aside my differences and share this, the GOOD NEWS of our compassionate God. To believe and receive Your forgiveness, and to live fully and freely in the truth of who You are.
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January 2019
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