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Friends United Meeting |
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May 2002
Valiant for Truth
By Trish Edwards-Konic
As I write this in April, the Middle East situation has flared into war. People who are racially similar (from the line of Abraham) are killing one another in hatred. In this issue, David Niyonzima of Burundi Yearly Meeting, Africa, examines the root of racism in hatred, not cultural differences.
One response to evil is to hate the perpetrator, rather than focusing on the sin. When the shift from hating the sin goes to hating the sinner, we become an offender also. If we fail to deal with the sin of hatred, it grows and begins to have a life of its own.
Hate takes time to grow and fester but once allowed a hold in our lives, it is difficult to defeat. So what can we do to overcome feelings of hatred within?
First, we must admit we have some hatred in our souls. It might be against an individual or a whole group of people. Secondly, we must refuse to allow thoughts of hatred to grow and reject them for what they are—thoughts of evil, not from God. The spiritual battleground is in our minds and hearts so when these thoughts flit through our minds, we can pray something like this: "I don't want to hate, but to love—so, God, please transform these thoughts into your thoughts. I can't do it on my own but need your help. Thank you Jesus for your presence and help."
And third, we must choose love. Choosing love is often difficult and risky. Difficult because it goes against the grain of our human nature. Risky because it leads us into paths we might not have chosen on our own.
Friends in the past have chosen love by eliminating slavery before the general population in the United States. They were leaders in the Underground Railroad. Levi Coffin was named, "President of the Underground Railroad" and Laura Haviland was called "Superintendent of the Underground Railroad."
To chose love today continues to be difficult and risky. Choosing love goes against human tendencies. It is easier to discriminate and hate than to show love. Love calls us to choose the better way.
Choosing love is also risky. Love calls us to be vulnerable. Love leads us into places of uncertainty, into fresh paths of newness.
May Friends answer the call of love this day and go forward into places of newness and challenge.
Copyright (c) 2002 Friends United Meeting
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