Love, big enough to include everyone

     "Freely you have received, freely give." 

— Matthew 10:8b    

     The news media keeps reminding us that this week marks five long years since the terrible holocaust erupted in Syria. 

     During that time, we are told over 250,000 Syrians have been killed, one million wounded, and 12 million displaced — a total of one-half of Syria's pre-war population. 

     For me, it is mind-boggling and just too difficult to comprehend the life these millions of refugees have endured, while simply trying to preserve their lives and the lives of their families. Their cry for international attention brought help from many countries as they responded, showing their willingness to receive and integrate many into a new way of life. 

     Kudos to our own government for reaching out with empathy to our fellow-man. The horrible situation which is on-going, is far from over. 

     Who can imagine enduring the terrible situations such as those stranded at the Greece-Macedonia border, aimlessly waiting for someone to come to their rescue?  

     When Jesus answered a teacher of the law, "What is the greatest commandment?" His answer, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, was immediately followed with, and "Love your neighbour as yourself." So we ask, "Who is our neighbour?" 

     God is the Father of all in the sense that He created all and His love and care extends to all. 

     Although we are of One, He has chosen to give us our own colour of entity. The mixed races spread across our world, remind me of a box of colourful crayons.  

     

When the al-Mohammed family arrived in Kamloops recently, they left much behind. The family — dad Khaled, mom Reem and children Ineam, 9, Mustafa, 7, and Yaman, 18 months — were sponsored by Refugees and Friends Together (RAFT), an organization that has brought many refugee families to Kamloops in the past two decades. Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week

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Our skin tones may be different but we are all out of the same box of crayons. Our new friends entering our country may not have the same skin tone as us, and for sure may not speak our language. 

     But, we are to love everyone given by our Creator in the different colours He chooses to place around us. 

     Someone wisely said, "If we, the world's people, all got together in one group in total darkness and shared conversation, would colour matter? So, why should it matter when the lights are on and we are tempted to "tag someone" with whatever?" 

     

     Could it be because of our misplaced attitudes we miss the beautiful colours of life which may even be our neighbours from every nationality across our fabulous world? 

     Discrimination is a huge trait of society today. It spells unfavourable treatment and judgement, usually based on race, colour or gender. 

     I learned early in life Jesus' love is big enough to include everyone! 

     The little song I was taught while very young, says it right. "Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." 

     Every person is of immeasurable value to Him, and we all stand equally. Love knows no boundaries.   

     As we remember..."the Lord... he upholds the cause of the oppressed... he gives food to the hungry and watches over the alien." 

— Psalm 146: 6-9 

     He wants us to be His hands and feet and help our neighbour. Cheerfully giving to those in need, we remember it's an investment in heavenly treasure.    

     What an exciting future awaits us... "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands – And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb..."Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." 

— Revelation 7: 9,15,16

— beulah