Thoughts from a Woman Who Never Stops Thinking

 "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).

I have always tried to respect all people regardless if I agree with them or not.  I hold very strong religious views because I hold the Bible as my standard for living and I am zealous for the things of God, but I do not believe that the Bible gives me the license to hate on people and treat them as inferior.  Further, hate and violence are not supported Biblically, even if its the side with opposing views/beliefs that initiated.  On the contrary, we are told to bless and pray for those that curse us and spitefully use us (Luke 6:28) and to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39).  Christians have a long history of using violence and hate as a means of controlling others (ie. Crusades etc), but I truly believe that we do not have to continue that pattern. The truth is that we don't have much time left in this world to continue the pattern with the return of Christ coming so soon.  I do not believe in backing down in one's beliefs, but if people disagree or even hate you for your beliefs, we should let them do so without reciprocating anger. We will accomplish nothing by getting angry and name-calling or by holding signs on the corners and telling people they are going to hell.  I simply cannot imagine Jesus doing this.  When Christ went to the cross, he was ridiculed and taunted, spit on, and whipped, yet He held his peace and I believe that He calls us to do the same thing while carrying our cross.  He was sent like a "lamb to the slaughter" yet "opened not his mouth" the Bible says which means He took a passive approach.   He didn't take a passive approach to preaching the Gospel and loving others, but he took a passive approach to dealing with the hate and the persecution.   I'm tired of focusing on all the negative in the world and am making the conscious decision to be a vessel through which God can demonstrate His love to others no matter where they come from, their status, their sins etc. I will focus more on my own imperfections and allowing God fix mine so that I can be a better vessel of His love. When I get to heaven, God is not going to say, I wish you would have protested more on the corner on my behalf, but He will tell me, What did you do to allow people to experience my love?  I'm going to make myself ready so that I can usher in thousands of people and say Lord, here's what I did to show your love and these are the people that came to know you as a result of it.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" ~ Hebrews 12:14