There was a man who had a little boy that he loved very much. Everyday after work the man would come home and play with the little boy. He would always spend all of his extra time playing with the little boy.
One night, while the man was at work, he realized that he had extra work to do for the evening, and that he wouldn't be able to play with his little boy. But he wanted to be able to give the boy something to keep him busy. So, looking around his office, he saw a magazine with a large map of the world on the cover. He got an idea. He removed the map, and then patiently tore it up into small pieces. Then he put all the pieces in his coat pocket.
When he got home, the little boy came running to him and was ready to play. The man explained that he had extra work to do and couldn't play just now, but he led the little boy into the dining room and taking out all the pieces of the map, he spread them on the table. He explained that it was a map of the world, and that by the time he could put it back together, his extra work would be finished, and they could both play. Surely, this would keep the child busy for hours, he thought.
About half an hour later the boy came to the man and said, “Okay, it's finished. Can we play now?”
The man was surprised, saying, “That's impossible. Let's go see.” And sure enough, there was the picture of the world, all put together, every piece in it's place.
The man said, “That's amazing! How did you do that?” The boy said, “It was simple. On the back of the page was a picture of a man. When I put the man together the whole world fell into place.”
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With so much hate in the world today, we must take a look at ourselves (all of us). How much hate do we harbor within our own hearts against our fellow man. Races are fighting against other races. People are killing each other. In some instances, just for the sake of killing. Our leaders are fueling this hatred for political and monetary gain. We cannot look at social media without seeing the riots and assaults on each other. The news media does not report the news without interjecting their opinions and telling us what we should think.
Islam is being touted as the “religion of peace” but kill anyone who does not believe the way the do. Christians are being persecuted for their beliefs. Friends, it saddens me to see the persecution of Christians all over the world, even in our own country. Christian business owners are being told to compromise their faith or risk being jailed and prosecuted or lose everything they have worked for. Meanwhile, businesses like Starbucks, Target, and some camping supply store that means so little to me I cannot remember their name, are telling people if you support traditional marriage, are against gender neutral bathrooms or support a certain political party, take your business elsewhere. Well, friends, I have taken my business elsewhere and do not miss these businesses at all.
People are protesting our flag, our pledge to the flag, and our National Anthem. Millionaire celebrities and athletes who made their millions from the American people threaten to leave the country or strike because their presidential candidate didn't win or this country is oppressive. They did not think about the oppression when they were taking money from its citizens, did they? The candidate that did not win the presidential election has written a book of excuses and touring this great land making excuses without once taking any responsibility for her loss. The former president is seeking to destroy the current president. Why are they doing this? Hatred. Yes, hatred for the president and for the American people. Radical hate groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa are rioting in the streets because of hatred for people who disagree with them. By the way, BLM, Jesus died for all skin colors and Father God created all skin colors so ALL LIVES MATTER! Our news media and even some of our leaders are singing the praises of these groups. One news commentator, I won't mention names or network, recently said “Antifa is working on the side of the angels.” Well Newsflash, they are not working on the side of my Father's angels. They are not doing the work of my Heavenly Father. He commanded us to love our fellow man and our neighbors as ourselves.
Celebrities, politicians, and others are calling for the assassination of our president and the media is silent. One man was jailed for offering money for a lock of Hillary Clinton's hair. Where is the outcry for the assassination threats?
People are trying to erase parts of history they do not agree with. We cannot erase history by tearing down historical statues and monuments. Will tearing these down erase hatred and bring about love for our fellow man. No. We must erase the hatred in our hearts. Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can drive out hate.” He is remembered as one of our great Civil Rights leaders and did not burn a flag, destroy property or assault anyone. Someone with hatred in his own heart killed Mr. King to silence his message.
People, let's look in our own hearts and drive out the hatred we find there. I must admit, when I read the social media posts of the violence and crimes being committed today, I find that evil emotion enter my own heart. I must make an effort each and every day to drive it out. No one is above this negative emotion but we must make an effort to make sure it does not take root and remain. I have to pray to my God each and every day and ask Him to cleanse my heart of the negativity.
Like the little in the story above, when we are able to put ourselves together, the world will fall into place.
Father, you said when your people who are called by your name will humble themselves and call out to You, You will hear them and heal their land. I am calling out to you. Father, our land, our world, needs you. I pray that people's eyes are opened and hearts softened to let Your word penetrate and heed your warnings. Without You, we are nothing, but with You we can do so much. We must stand together with You, Lord. Help us to remember that You love us all. I plead that You use us, your children, to do Your great work in this great land. I ask these things in Jesus' name.
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