Scripture: 1st John 4:11
Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other.
Thought for the Day: My in-laws live in NW Arkansas, but centuries before Arkansas became a state, there was a nation of native people called the Tula. We know of them only through the records of the Spanish conquistador named De Soto. De Soto and his army defeated and basically annihilated the Tula people in the name of Christianity. I share this story because it was on this day in 1541 that the Spanish army began its attack upon these people. Though an important topic, I don’t wish in this devotional to talk specifically to the idea that conquers from Europe believed they were divinely ordained to kill or enslave entire native nations. What I am trying to wrap my head around is the eradication of a people and its culture. I know it has happened many times in human history, but what was lost that might have enriched and inspired us today. What is the impact upon the moral fiber of humanity? Right now in the nation of Burma (Myanmar), the Buddhist majority is perpetrating a genocide against the Rohingya people. There is currently outrage at the UN and in a few international organizations, but sadly the outrage is getting lost in the regular news cycle. I fear that in a few years we will look back and ask, “Why didn’t we do more?” The question will probably be asked, but right now I want to know how can religions that claim to be centered in love and peace (Christianity and Buddhism and others) justify and encourage the senseless destruction of human life? In Burma (and other moments in history), it is all about taking disillusioned people and suggesting that all their problems can be attributed to one group or another…usually a powerless minority. Of course, looking at the life of Jesus, he seemed to take a special interest in the powerless minority. Never blaming them. Only uplifting them.
Prayer: Holy Creator, when my heart is disillusioned and my ego wounded, I pray that I will never assign blame to anyone. Allow your Spirit to heal my brokenness so that I do not injure the innocent and weak among us. Amen.
