The Bible has been a guiding force in religion for centuries. Starting with the Ten Commandments, prophets and priests preached it, and Pharisees tried to enforce it. It was concrete and there was very little room for questioning. One simply obeyed the words.
But, there was so much more to the Bible than following a set of rules. The central message of the Bible is, and has always been, love. God, our Creator, loves us and desires to be in relationship with us. He came in bodily form to show us how much. Jesus’ came to accomplish this primary purpose. He came to teach us the value of God’s creation, every single part of it, to celebrate the diversity and the beauty of it all. He came to demonstrate love and how to live in a way that reflects His love.
I had a wonderful conversation with my oldest grandson this week. I was moved greatly by his certainty about justice and the depth of his love for people. He is only eight years old, but his words have continued to ring in my heart, so I thought I would share them with you this week.
It was a beautiful day, and my grandson and I were sitting by the pool waiting for his six year old brother to finish his part of swim team practice. Our conversation gravitated to the upcoming swim meet and the races that he would be engaged in. Though he was too young to swim in it, he shared about the coed relay race. For those of you who are not swimmers, most races are men or women but not both. He was excited about that race because he knew about how women had been treated unfairly throughout history, and this was a way to show equality. We talked about what women endured, how they were not permitted to vote, etc.
Then, he turned to me and said, “Mimi, I am not a woman, but it really bothers me that they were treated unfairly like that”.
He thought for a minute then continued with, “You know, Mimi, black people have been treated unfairly, too.”
We talked about the injustice toward African Americans throughout history, much of which he already knew. He mentioned Martin Luther King and what an amazing man he was and I could feel my heart swell.
Then, he responded with, “You know, Mimi, I am not a black person but it really bothers me when they are treated unfairly.”
It made me think about my younger son who is married to my wonderful son-in-law and how deeply my grandchildren love their uncles. It gave me hope for our world.
Oh that we, as adults, would love people in such a way that we are “bothered” by the injustice and teach our children to be the same. Our children are our future.
I am thankful for my family and for the many ways they care about the justice in this world. My son and daughter-in-law are modeling for their children love for all people, valuing all of God’s creation. My younger son and his husband are doing their part to bring a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ community through education and film. And, my husband’s heart for others is a driving force in bringing justice forth.
Since that conversation with my grandson, I can’t stop thinking about the very courageous people who saw the injustice and have worked to change the law so that it reflects love for all people… “and justice for all.”
Be bothered by the injustice and strive to bring change.
Blessings,
Carol Marchant Gibbs