Acceptance begins with 1 and grows

     

     "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

— 1 Corinthians 13:13     

     The news coming across the airwaves this past week could easily cause one to be locked in a state of fear. 

     Perhaps, feeling another shockwave of insecurity, we watched the tragic unfolding of the carnage that took place along the Promenade of the French Riviera in the city of Nice, France. 

     Then, once again, seeing racial hatred raise its ugly head, threats and retaliation brought another community in mourning, with the unnecessary loss of lives.

     

     Remigio Pereira, a member of Canadian singing group, The Tenors — desiring to get his message across — got himself kicked out of the singing quartet after he unilaterally altered the lyrics to "O Canada" at the 2016 Major League Baseball All-star Game to include the phrase, "all lives matter to the Great."

     It was touching to watch the ER surgeon Dr. Brian Williams feeling such empathy and sorrow for not being able to save the lives of the five gunned down policemen. Williams said, "We all look the same on the inside." Being close to tears, Williams implored his fellow Americans, "to find a way to end the senseless killings. "Violence fixes nothing, racial hatred being the deepest fault line of our democracy." 

     Acceptance of each other, with our differences — I believe — begins at home and in each of our communities, putting a greater investment into our schools. 

     I was pleased recently, to see a sign on a fence surrounding my nearby elementary school. Amid colourful imitations of children of various races, was this simple statement,"Acceptance begins with one and grows." 

     I praise the school's administrators for seeking to instill the right message to our next generation — to learn to live with diversity and pluralism. While those countries mourned — at war with terrorists and racial hatred — our own country was in mourning over the loss of sweet, little, five-year-old Taliyah and her mom. 

     All week our hearts and minds were captured, as we offered prayers for those many families that lost that Someone who was so very dear and important to them. 

     Though we all want to feel that we live in a safe society, and our world in general is a pretty safe place, we must acknowledge there's a need for improvement— perhaps if only in our own attitudes towards our fellow men. "Love for God and our neighbour," is the fulfillment of all the laws of the Old Testament which we all need to take seriously.  

     

     Next month, in August, the Olympics will be held in Rio de Janerio. For many, the highlight of the games will be the opening ceremonies, as they watch teams from all corners of the world enter Maracana Stadium. More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries will walk triumphantly into the spotlight. What a marvel of diversity of the nations, gathered peacefully together in one place — truly a display of unity on parade! 

     It's been said, "No other event on this globe brings people together like the Olympics." Yet, this will not be the greatest worldwide togetherness the world will ever see. At a future time, an event will occur when "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, will join together before the throne and in front of the Lamb, Jesus."  — Revelation 7:9 

     The thousands of colourfully-clad Olympians entering the magnificent Rio stadium will pale in comparison to the upcoming parade of nations we will see on that day. 

     

     I have already secured my paid in full entrance to this marvellous future event — compliments of Jesus, my awesome Saviour!  

     Have you made your arrangements yet? If not, don't delay!  See John 3:16.

— beulah