What is “race”? Is it possible to define one race from another? What attributes would you use? Are the attributes of one race possible to be found in a different race? If those of different races can have children then aren’t we all part of the same gene pool? If we are all part of the same gene pool then aren’t the attributes that define race arbitrary? For example why is it that skin color is used to define different races but eye color is not?
I am guilty of prejudging people, of prejudice. I have looked at people with mental illness labels as if they were less than me somehow. I have believed that those with a developmental disability are less than me somehow. I have looked at people with different skin color, language, height, weight, culture as less than me somehow. I have even believed that some people with different attributes than me were better than me somehow. I have allowed my fears and ignorance about others different from me to influence my perception and conclusions about them. Fortunately there is help for me, and His Name is Jesus.
Jesus said to me in the Bible to love God with all that I am, and love all people in the same way I love myself. I couldn’t do that until I received God’s love for me. I have hated myself much of my life. I have also loved myself, but in a self-serving way. Trying to feel better about myself I despised others. This was not a reflection on them. This was the result of my rejecting Jesus’ love for me. It wasn’t until I humbled myself, asked forgiveness, and actually believed what God said, that God loved me, that I experienced His love and healing. And now I can love God and other people, not perfectly, but hopefully in increasing measure each day.
I AM for You! 