Questions I'm Asking Regarding My Brothers and Sisters in Christ
I read something on Monday that has made me ponder all week. It falls on the week of celebrating our nation's freedom, and it also gave me good things to think about in regards to how I, as a white woman, experience freedom differently than others. This week I've asked myself these questions:
- In what ways do I experience freedom?
- Are there freedoms that I enjoy that also may allow for evil to go on uncovered?
- What good things can I do to silence ignorance?
- How do I show love to all who are in the family of God--even and especially those who are different than me?
- How do I do this in a way that is simultaneously respectful to all involved--including the leadership of our country?
The words that prompted all of this thought, I wrote down on an extra-large post-it note and kept it in sight. Like I said, I've been ASKING these questions. I DON'T have all the answers. But I know that since this is God's heart for all people, that IF I ask Him for direction, and IF this is at the forefront of my mind, then HE will give me not only answers, but opportunities to do good things. So step by step, I go...not really knowing what I'm doing, but willing to learn and do good things...
Here are the words I read that struck my heart:
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 1 Peter 2:13-17