I have been back in the United States for
exactly a week. They warned us that there might be some culture shock; they
said there may be some things that really catch you off guard. I thought it
might be wise to avoid the crazy malls, because seeing people spend thousands
of dollars on toys might be painful after seeing starving children. BUT there
is one thing that I can’t seem to avoid. One thing that continues to punch me
in the gut and make me grieve for this nation and that is the media.
I want to start by saying that I normally
avoid topics of controversy on the internet because it only takes one word to
be misread and then people get offended. I’m not here to offend anyone; I just
want to give a different perspective. The majority of what I have seen posted
about Cop violence and now Civilian violence, has been full of hate. &
somewhere along the line each one of us was deceived into believing that this
hatred would produce a positive change. That this hatred would drive out the
hatred of others. Buddha had it right when he said “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal
rule.” America, if we continue to follow the eye for an eye
mentality, we will all end up blind. It seems that many of us have already
become blind, but not because someone made you that way, only because you chose
to hate.
I am reminded of a story written in the book of Genesis.
There were two brothers they both brought their own sacrifices to God. The
Bible says, that God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but did not
look with favor on Cain and his offering. (Many have studied this text and
believe it is because Cain’s heart was not in the right place; he gave some of
what he had, whereas Able gave the best of what he had.) The story goes on to
say that Cain became very “angry”. In verse 6 &7 of chapter 4 God speaks to
Cain and says this “Why are you so angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do
what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to
have you, BUT you must rule over it.” Cain was given a warning. He was told
that out of his hatred would come sin, but he did not listen, and instead
killed his brother. This is the first account of murder recorded in the Bible
and there were consequences for his actions that not only affected him, but his
entire family.
America, your hatred, in its many forms, is only leading
to more pain. Hatred is constantly knocking on your door, through media and
other outlets, you must control it, and use that strong emotion to lead you to
another that is even stronger… love. How many more hurting families? How many
more deaths… till you realize all your posting, ranting, shooting, and
destruction will only end in vain? Stop spreading hate, and start spreading
love. Stop posting, and start praying.
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me
sow love.” –Francis of Assisi
