What is sacred to you? Would you consider your life sacred? Would you consider the life of your spouse or child or parent and siblings sacred? Are there other things sacred to you? What or whom?
Ok, we have considered for a moment the things of highest value to us. Now, how about what is expendable to you, of the least value? It could be those old worn-out slippers. Certainly, the trash in the waste basket. There is that banana I haven’t eaten that’s pretty much mush. What else?
Could the items on your two lists ever be reversed? Sounds a little absurd don’t you think? Our trash moves to the top of our values and our valuables becoming expendable?
In a society like we have today that is exactly what we see happening, twisted values. God’s most sacred creation, human life, is expendable and our “things” and “opinions” are becoming most sacred. God gave us an amazing gift, free will. Out of love for us He gave us the ability to also love. Unfortunately, some spew into our world drama and hate and death. God loves you and I and He gave us truths to live by that will lead us to a joy that the things of this world can never give us. He actually has more confidence in you and me than our fellow man, politicians, and adversaries in following His truths. God knows if we invest ourselves in a relationship with Him and follow His truths than you and I can make a difference in this world, a positive and loving one. Could you imagine how things would be if for example politicians treated each other (and you & I) with love and respect? I know this might seem over the top but what if we also loved our enemies? Did you know in scripture God said, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man” says the Lord, “but rather in his conversion, that he may live.” (Ez 33:11)
God is forgiving and I think He is looking for you and I to pray and encourage our enemies to do the right thing, to follow God’s truths.
For example, would you agree that to have someone take valuables from you would be alarming and make you feel violated? Would you agree that to have the person you love who has committed to love you, all at once go another direction be hurtful and devastating? How about if someone killed a loved one of yours? Would that not be horrifying?
God has given us truths that are black and white because He knows how to bring joy into our lives. He did not say, “Thou shall not steal, unless…” or “Thou shall not covet they neighbor’s wife, unless…” or “Thou shall not kill, unless…”
The more we invest in our relationship with God the clearer His will and mission for us becomes. He speaks to us in scripture. He speaks to us in our prayer time with Him. He speaks to us in the truths that others communicate and live in love. I pray that you and I become stronger every day in drawing closer to the God who loves us and aligning with His will and enjoying His eternal love together forever. Peace be