Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.
― Martin Luther King, Jr., A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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re·demp·tion
/rəˈdem(p)SH(ə)n/
noun
noun: redemption; plural noun: redemptions
the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
"God's plans for the redemption of his world"
synonyms: saving, saving/freeing from sin, vindication, absolution
"God's redemption of his people"
Even in Our Darkest Hour There Is Hope
We have all made mistakes. We have all fallen from the path that leads us toward bigger and better goals. What matters is that we are always striving to better ourselves. Even if it is subconscious, we know that we are not completely whole without faith; we need God's love in our hearts to help us see his light during our darkest moments. He is with us always.
When I have an opportunity to see the corporate-owned medias narrative I wonder what the common man thinks of the opinions spilled on the daily over their morning coffee? Do they just accept what we are being told, or are they more likely these days to question CSPAN, MSN, and their ilk? Is it just information or do they want to know more? Digging a little below the surface may uncover more questions than answers. Do they even have time to ponder?
Is it a sin to go along with popular culture, not questioning the status quo? It's worth it, I think, to ponder such a question. My answer 20 years ago would have been quite different than the way I would answer it today.
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Knowing is Half the Battle
Do you know there is a problem with our society at large? Can you tell outright or is there a nagging feeling in your belly that you cannot explain? What do you do about it? Ignore the problem or are you trying to remedy the situation the best way you can? What does that solution look like to you?
In 1990, I decided to stop watching t.v. This wasn't the first time I had removed myself from participating in what most people did for hours on a daily basis. I had a pretty steady diet of t.v. up until junior high school. Once I discovered music, talking to my friends on the phone, and writing bad poetry....the t.v. wasn't even a consideration anymore. It bored me. I had had enough. So when I removed it again in 1990, I knew it was something that I didn't need as was glad to remove from my daily routine.
Once I removed the talking box, I was able to objectively watch programs come and go and see how they affected others around me. Catch phrases would suddenly be spoken by a variety of people and I would try to guess which t.v. show they got the word or phrase. Even better was the clothing choices women, usually, would make because they watch programs like "Sex and the City." High heels became popular along with sling shirts. People were mimicking what they saw on their screens but were they fully aware of their tendencies to copy their favorite celebrity? I was watching the public as they were watching their screens.
Present Darker Times
Doesn't programming these days have a darker subject matter or even overall appearance. Batman had the Dark Knight series, of course. But that seems almost lighthearted compared to what folks call entertainment these days. Zombies, end of the world, and dystopian stories are told on repeat as well as movies that have vampires and witches. None are lighthearted and some even teach children how to perform spells (I am speaking about the recent children's movie with Jack Black called "The House with a Clock in Its Walls.")
Not only do I wonder if parents are paying attention to the subliminal messages being taught in these popular movies, what about the message of even taking your kids to see something like this? At the very least one should explain the moral and spiritual implications of performing spells. This isn't kids' stuff and shouldn't be thought of as a joke.
When You Are Ready, God is Waiting
In our own time, if we really are searching for the answers to life's questions....I do believe you will find Him. I did. I dabbled in the new age occultic mumbo jumbo. It never satisfied and sometimes even frightened me.
The biggest lie Satan ever told was that he doesn't exist.
I don't care what name you call evil, we can all agree that it exists. The question is: What are you going to do about it? How do we redeem ourselves while evil exists at seemingly every corner?
For me, it is the little victories. A smile to a stranger. Holding a door open for someone. Talking to someone while waiting in line. Having a human moment that most don't even try to express anymore since they are so distracted by their devices. For me, it is important to be an example of what we can still be....human.
Sure.....notice the inequities, please. And then, if you can and are able.....do something. It may seem small, that random act of kindness but it is only the little things that make the most impact. And if we all move in the direction of peace and prosperity for all beings great and small, then we all win.