We are living in a world where there is never-ending conflict.
Everyone seems to have such strong opinions about everything and they are determined to voice these opinions, no matter how hurtful it may be.
The very thing that we are trying so hard to overcome, seems to keep rising up like an ugly monster and raging against us all.
Why are we not able to live in peace? Why are we always so willing to go to war – even if it’s just a war of words.
Being ‘Prejudiced’ seem to lie at the core of us all. It almost feels natural and just to feel prejudices towards another.
What does it mean to be prejudiced anyway??
I scoured around for a great explanation and found this one in the Merriam-Webster dictionary: Prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and intimates a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance. Mostly, it is a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar.
Or, to put it more simply, an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion etc
Can you relate? It is something that we see all the time. Actually, we have evidence of prejudice that goes right the way back to the beginning of time. If people didn’t look the same, eat the same, talk the same, behave the same or believe the same, then they are ostracized, rejected and even bad-mouthed.
In the bible, most prejudices are based on what the people believed. Faith and belief was very much more integrated into their lives.
In fact, when Jesus (who was the most perfect person to ever walk the face of the earth) began his ministry, he experienced tremendous discrimination!
In Matthew 11:19 we read….
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine. He’s a friend of tax collectors and other sinners.’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.”
But the comments and criticisms did not deter Jesus at all. He kept doing what he was doing and the effects of his life and ministry are seen throughout History and still being played out today.
Its a matter of ATTITUDE. Its about what we choose to see and how we choose to respond to it!
This year, for Valentines, I suggested to my husband that we go as a family (that means kiddies included) to watch Matthew Mol at Kirstenbosh. Of course, he jumped at the idea because it meant that he did not have the pressure of coming up with something romantic for us to do. Some guys allow themselves to get so worked up about this kind of stuff, or they choose to shut their eyes and hope that it will quietly and uneventfully passes them by.
I on the other hand, am a hopeless romantic! But, I have realized that it is not so bad to pick up this baton and run with it. After all, a relationship usually only has one romantic – and that is definitely me!
So off to Kirstenbosh we went and we had a fabulous time. Even the girls, who already have a love for music, were clapping and humming along.
Two thousand people, all sitting on a large green lawn. All happy, all friendly, all cultures, creeds and colours – all getting along. A true rainbow nation. A wonderful thing to see.
And a reminder that it is possible for us to all get along and for us to all be happy.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all just be happy. I mean, as a nation.
After all, we live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
So, what will it take to make us happy? Truly happy!
Who are the happiest people in the world?
The Huffington Post is a mine of information. Good information. This is what I discovered when my research took me there.
“The world’s happiest people aren’t in Qatar, the richest country by most measures. They aren’t in Japan, the nation with the highest life expectancy. Canada, with its chart-topping percentage of college graduates, doesn’t make the top 10.
A poll released Wednesday of nearly 150,000 people around the world says seven of the world’s 10 countries with the most upbeat attitudes are in Latin America.
Many of the seven do poorly in traditional measures of well-being, like Guatemala, a country torn by decades of civil war followed by waves of gang-driven criminality that give it one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Guatemala sits just above Iraq on the United Nations’ Human Development Index, a composite of life expectancy, education and per capita income. But it ranks seventh in positive emotions.
“In Guatemala, it’s a culture of friendly people who are always smiling,” said Luz Castillo, a 30-year-old surfing instructor. “Despite all the problems that we’re facing, we’re surrounded by natural beauty that lets us get away from it all.”
That could be us. As a nation, we certainly have our differences, but we are certainly surrounded by natural beauty.
The undeniable truth is that prosperous nations are often deeply unhappy ones. Yet poverty-stricken nations are often overflowing in positivity and simple joy.
The bible has something really encouraging to say about this too. In the Beatitudes, Jesus said the truly fortunate people are those who are rich in the things that matter to God, not those who have money, power, popularity or fame. The things that are important in God’s kingdom are often the opposite of the worldly things we find so attractive.
Matthew 5:3-12 The Beatitudes
“Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. 7 Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. 8 Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. 9 Happy are those who strive for peace—they shall be called the sons of God. 10 Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful! 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.
If we could all find our own place of happiness (this is so accessible through Christ), then we would relate to others out of this place of happiness and positivity and consequently, our country … our homeland would become a happier place.
We need to be optimistic rather than pessimistic.
We need to celebrate the cloud (1 Kings 18:43 – 45) and the silver lining.
We need to have faith and TRUST that because of God and His love, we can find peace in our land.