What do you see?
There are 7.4 billion people in this world. 4 major races. Too many nationalities to count. Approximately 6,500 languages and 195 countries (+1 if you include Taiwan).
According to reference.com “Although all races share over 99% of the same genetic material, the classification and division of races is largely subjective, and all races belong to the same species – Homo sapiens.”
So when you look at your neighbor, the community, strangers or persons from foreign countries, what is it that you see? Think about it for a minute? What do we each naturally look for in others? Are we naturally subjecting them to stereotypes based on their color, culture, religion, background or conviction? Or are we looking for possibilities?
Today the spoken word was of the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the mercy and compassion shown. In this story there were religious and cultural stereotypes but the Good Samaritan chose instead to look at the possibilities. This story has many characters in it…. Which one are you?
Christ uses our bodies to serve him in this world and HE has called us to go to different places and people at different times.
In this story the most unlikely character stepped forward. Does that character reflect you?
In conclusion I will ask again… What do you see when you see people; do you see first their culture, their background, or their conviction? Or do you see the possibilities of them becoming disciples of Christ?
Prayer: Lord help me to see possibilities in the people that I meet, to show them mercy and compassion. Forgive me when I allow human stereotypes to get in my way of serving you. Amen
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