
by Precarious Yates
What an interesting coincidence that the Presidential Election Season started the week before Independence Day. As I’ve grown older, the presidential election time seems to get more volatile. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of volatile. It works great in a story, in a movie, not so much in real life.
What is most disturbing to me is the mudslinging regarding attitudes of racism and prejudice. Those who hurl the mud not only do that in the direction of the politician, but at anyone who supports his or her political party. It’s gotten ugly and fierce and has tipped the scales toward hatred and suspicion everywhere…
And I’m declaring independence from that!
I’m declaring independence, right here, right now, because I see what’s important on God’s heart.
In Isaiah 56, God says, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations.”
In Revelation 5:9, people sing praises to the Lamb because with His blood He purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. Every tribe. Every language, every people, every nation, everywhere.
He made each one of us. He made us beautiful and unique and individual expressions of his eternal glory. Imago Dei. Made in His image (see Gen. 1:26-27). Whether a person walks with Jesus or not, they are endowed by God with dignity as a person who’s been created by Him.
Mother Teresa spoke about this concept in this way:
“I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.” And, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”
I’m declaring independence from mob-mentality.
The mob says we need to hate. Jesus says to love. I choose Jesus. I choose love.
The mob says that I hate. I choose to recognize that they are hurting under the weight of sin, and I will love them anyway. Regardless of accusations, I choose to walk in love as Christ loved us.
And I am declaring independence from assumptions.
That assumption that I’m better than anyone, any one at all—I’m saying I want no part of that.
The assumption that I have no prejudice in my own heart—this one is extremely dangerous, and I’m saying no more. We are most on the verge of hate when we pridefully think we have no hate in our own hearts. I will allow God to shine His light, to purge every ounce of prejudice, and to show His love through me.
That’s what Independence Day means to me this year. And these are my goal throughout the whole presidential election season. Recognize how much people hurt and love them in the midst of it. Whether it is a friend, a relative, or a coworker, I choose love over hate, peace over strife, and joy over contentious anger.
Who’s up for joining me?
About the Author:
Precarious Yates has lived in 8 different states of the Union and 3 different countries, but currently lives in Texas with her husband, her daughter and their big dogs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys music, teaching, playing on jungle gyms, praying and reading. She holds a Masters in the art of making tea and coffee and a PhD in Slinky® disentangling.
Links: