May the mumbling commence!
I have spent the last couple of months or so researching the United States Civil War for an upcoming community theatre production. One issue at hand for the Union was the efficacy of the Union itself. Another hidden and latent issue for the North was slavery. And, to be fair, the South saw the issue of the war being liberty and freedom to do as they choose to do.
There were people of the Christian faith on both sides of this Civil War. They felt in very nearly opposite ways on the issue of slavery. And I find it interesting to note whenever the Bible refers to slavery. Read from Deuteronomy chapter twenty-three:
"If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, do not force them to return. Let them live among you in whatever town they choose, and do not oppress them.” (Verses 15-16)
I believe the language is pretty clear… and damaging to either side of the US Civil War. If a slave runs to you for refuge, you are bound to give them refuge. And that’s not all. You are to let them live among you wherever they might choose.
Let the former slaves live among you as free people wherever they might choose. There appears to be no wiggle room for the colonization of the former slaves that many Northerners thought would be for the best – including Abraham Lincoln.
Why did many Northerners wish to send the slaves away? Colonization was thought as a way to insure the best for the emancipated slaves. They thought that there was an inherent inequality that existed between the white and black races. They thought that they could not live together in peace and harmony.
Well, let’s say that this inequality is true (which I personally cannot believe). Still we are charged by the Lord to not oppress these former slaves. Yes, we may have the upper hand, but we are to use that benefit for the protection of the most vulnerable people in our midst.
Why? Because our spiritual ancestors were once slaves. We know that the tables can and often will be turned. The Lord is the great leveler of humanity. So, if we are to follow the Lord, we will form our attitudes and thoughts and actions around the ideas that are the best for the WHOLE community.
And that means talking to people not like us. That means listening to people not like us. That means discovering that we have much more in common with people who do not appear like us than many people would ever care to admit.
And these intense interactions are the building blocks of mercy and grace… two things that never seem to be in enough supply among people. It is something to consider over a lifetime. And in the midst of this God-inspired mercy and grace, love will grow. We will be able to come with confidence to Jesus, who is weeping over the factionalism and division that has plagued us for so long. Read from Luke chapter nineteen:
But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. "I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you." (Verses 41-44)
O Lord, help us to find the path to peace… a peace that includes everyone in the equation.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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