Thought for the Month

Because of certain recent events highlighted on the news, this month I would like to discuss ‘Discrimination.’

Discrimination is defined as: ‘based on prejudice’, ‘singled out for better or worse treatment than others’, and ‘recognising or understanding the difference’
This gives us a pretty good picture of what it means to be discriminated against, or to discriminate. It is, on the whole, a very negative and damaging behavioural trait, that causes rifts, heartache, division, pain and other such awful things.
There is SO MUCH discrimination in this world, and not just on a very simple or clear level.
How come we still haven’t shaken off the terrible exclusions that make people feel worthless, devalued and self-conscious? Jesus did not put up with discrimination. He did not treat people as less than worthy if they didn’t fit in to a certain category. Jesus accepted everyone as equal in the eyes of God, and treated them as such.
If we find we do discriminate, what are we to do about it? It might not be easy to change our ways, but is that an excuse for doing nothing at all? Were we to find ourselves in a group or class of people singled out just for whom we are, how would we feel? And what would we want to change? What would Jesus do in that situation?
In a perfect world, everyone would be equal – same opportunities, same provisions, same worth and value. No one person would be above or beneath another, and nobody would worry about not being able to cope.
That world will exist one day. That will be the day when all will be well, and be at peace.
The new heaven and the new earth will replace what exists at present, and then there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, for all that will pass away. (Revelations 21: 1-4)
Life isn’t fair at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we have to be a part of the unfairness. We have to make a difference. If we try our hardest to treat everyone equally, to give everyone a chance no matter who they are, and to honour God’s decisions, callings and purposes over any human being, then we will be living as God requires and one day see the results of that obedience.