If you put red ants and black ants in a jar, they go about their business. But, if you shake up the jar, they fight to the death.
The same thing takes place with the human race. We’re all in a mixed pot of earthly existence, with an integration of diverse cultures, races and ideologies. There are Democrats and Republicans, Jews and Muslims, Socialists and democratic capitalists, Blacks and whites, Catholics and Protestants, rich and poor, gay and straight, etc. Things are copacetic until someone stirs the pot. Who would do such a thing?
Yep, the prince of darkness, “Old Hairy Legs,” the liar, deceiver and cause of death. He loves to stir things up and inspire division and hate. The more who die fighting hating each other before the stir stick is taken from him, the more company he will have in Hell.
So, how do we as human beings stay out of the stirred pot?
Avoid the pot that calls the kettle black.
As Abe Lincoln said to the early Americans, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We as Americans need to listen to each other, dialogue about the issues that divide us: abortion, illegal immigration, transgenderism, gay marriage, the Iran war, etc.
But, if we do not have a starting point for any of these topics, there is no way forward. Why is this? Because we obtain our information from different sources — conservative, liberal, thousands of podcasts and social media sites with 24/7 information overload,; not to overlook our different world views.
The perfect man doesn’t swear, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t get angry, doesn’t drink. He also doesn’t exist. Trump might be obnoxious to you. We are all obnoxious to someone. We all fall short in God’s eyes.
It’s OK if you don’t like my thoughts and ideas; that’s no reason to hate me. Hurt people hurt people. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
It’s alright if we don’t agree. I can’t force you to accept my views. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Don’t raise your voice; improve your argument. Listen to learn; learn to listen. You won’t see the hand of God if you focus on the fist of the enemy. So, when discussing a topic with someone, with the essentials strive for unity, the nonessentials, clarity, and in all things, charity.
Final thoughts: The truth is always the truth, even if no one believes it, and a lie is always a lie, even if everyone believes it.
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
“Our world hangs like a magnificent jewel in the vastness of space. Everyone of us is tiny speck on that jewel. In the perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal.” — Fred, “Mister” Rogers.
But the love Jesus has for each of us is huge. Our differences do not matter to Him, “for their is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for we are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Hearing about Jesus is not enough. We need to encounter Him and experience His love. Only Jesus can take the stir stick from the hands of the devil. He allows the stirring for now. But, at the end of time when He comes back, we will receive a new heaven and earth with no more stirring.
This column may include both fiction and nonfiction, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN. Submissions can be sent to editor@pagosasun.com.
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