The Great Divide

I have been saddened and disappointed by a statement made recently. I am so naive to think that just because we are all children of God that we are equal before him. Actually in God's eyes we are. However, humans view it differently. We may worship the same God, his son Jesus and the holy spirit but on earth we are divided by race and religion.

Within the same religion we are again divided by the different denominations. The Lutherians, the Roman Catholics " dan lain lain" . Our style of worship differs, our prayers differ a little, our interpretation of the Holy Book differs and so our preaching and believe differ too.

However there is a passage in the Bible which says we must love our neighbours. The interpretation of this passage in Luke 10 : 25-37 is clear and precise, Jesus even gave an example. It can not be misinterpreted any other way. Sadly, even with this concise explanation of the meaning " neighbours" people still refuse to open their hearts to welcome another from a different denomination, even in the spirit of fellowship. This is so sad. Now we are behaving like some other religion which feels that merely by association they followers will be " duped " into converting. I thought we are more intelligent than those others. But I am wrong. We are still in the dark ages.

Recently I was advised not to invite a speaker of a different church to come for fellowship on the grounds that the group is strictly a Catholic fellowship. At this point I would like to say that I am of the Christian faith. So what am I doing in a Catholic group, leading this catholic group weekly? How naive of me to think that we are one. We are one only on the surface. When push came to shove, we, who are not Catholics, are merely guests by invitation. This is the reality of life.

I was greatly disappointed by this revelation. The range of feelings I went through was intense. I prayed for understanding. I shared but comfort did not come. So, upon a friend's advise that I can only find the answer in prayers ,I prayed. Listen, she says when the Holy Spirit talks to you. I continued to pray.

She was right. The Holy Spirit gave me an answer while I was in the shower.

Who am I to feel disappointed by a discriminatory statement? Who am I to judge? I disappoint God every day . Now I know how God feels by my careless attitude towards his love for me. Everyday ,by my words, deeds and actions I disappoint him.I commit sins without fail, when I drive, when I am in a hurry and by intentionally being sarcastic. Yet he forgives me and still loves me. How I have hurt him all these years.

Armed with that knowledge I could let go of my sadness and disappointment and be at peace. Sinners can not be the judge of others. How can I complain of the hurt of disappointment when I myself am guilty of the same daily ? Instantaneously I felt free. It is a good feeling. I will pray for us all that we will be blessed with the faith to " love our neighbours " without condition. I hope one day we will be able to invite anyone we like to share with us at our weekly gathering regardless of race or religion.

In the mean time I will continue to serve the group to the best of my capability armed with God's love, his teachings of righteousness and truth and his gift of participation in his kingdom, power and glory and, life everlasting in heaven. Glory be to the Father.