October 2: RESPECTING HUMANITY

There is an old American culture act that has almost been lost, but I saw it again recently. I have been thinking about it. I’m referring to those people who stop on the side of the road when a funeral procession passes by, out of respect for the person who has died. It’s just a momentary act but it says a lot about respecting humanity and your fellow man. Maybe these people came from a part of rural America where human life is still important.
This quiet, solemn testimony to a human life being gone moves me much more than “pro” and “anti” abortion foes shouting at each other or the “pro” and “con” capital punishment circus that accompanies every current execution.
Every life is precious. That’s why we have a team of doctors and nurses always waiting in the Emergency room to try to save the life of anyone brought in, rich or poor, black or white. That’s why war is terrible; human life is wasted for no good reason. (Have you been watching the current series on World War 2 on Public television?)
How do you measure up in having respect for people? Jesus said you should “love your neighbor as much as you love yourself”. (Matthew 19:19)
Do you tend to categorize people and put them in the proper place? White? Black? Educated? Officer? Enlisted? I understand that homogeneous groups do well, but that is no reason to think less of those who are different. “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) all in the same way, and with the same intensity. The world endured the shame of South Africa for too long while the government enforced a pigment test. We must always be alert to any temptation to divide people, regardless of the suggested dividing device.
The lesson must be learned in every community. Until we agree with God in not being “respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) the garment of our community will continue to be torn.

“Thank You, God, for making us all the same under the outer layer of
skin and for providing only one Savior so we could not mistake that. Amen”