“For you were called to freedom, brother. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for this flesh but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Recently, I shut down and opted out of the social media frenzy. I simply could not read or see one more person’s post being hurtful to another in order to get their own opinion heard.
Freedom, how is it measured? Are the privileged allowed more than the common? And . . . who decides?
We are born completely helpless and dependent on others for our most basic needs. An infant is not aware of skin color, rich or poor. Our complete poverty is demonstrated by our absolute helplessness.
As we grow older others influence our perception of the world around us. It will take years for us to understand the things that are different around us, But how we react to those differences is based on the adults in our lives and how they view the world. Children are color blind. Innocence intact, they will play with other children without misgivings.
Hate is taught, entitlement is taught, prejudice is taught, and fear is also taught. Why would anyone want to learn those things on their own? I’m sure no child ever ran to their parents asking, “Who should I hate today?”
Love and acceptance are woven into our soul. Let’s be compassionate, kind and accepting. Let’s teach our children not to let their fears—or yours—keep them from getting past the differences in people. Let’s teach them to see that we are all children of God.
“Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
By Eve Montano