2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4”Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not repent.”
Over a year ago, I’ve worked in a small office with about 12 people. We have 24 hour news channel on and most of my co workers are very outspoken about their political party affiliations. For several months, I’ve been following the migration movement, from the illegals crossing the U.S. border, to the Malaysians human trafficking into Thailand and Nepal to India, and most recently the Refugees from the Syria Crisis. I usually don’t partake in the open conversations until comments contradict my spiritual convictions.
On Nov 13, 2016, a swift change happened in social media from zero interest in foreign affairs to a scary stand. It started with the French Flag profile picture. Everyone with their different reasons jumped to this opportunity to show support and love. Soon that support and love changed to anger and fear. More and more people would like and share the option to not welcome Syrian refugees. My heart began to break seeing the overwhelming amount of people that supported this.
I became a social media activist to offer a different perspective to a popular stereotyping that many Christians were falling for. I tried humanizing these refugees. I tried sharing religious blogs about what others said on the topic. This morning while working out, I don’t know what I was thinking or saying but God stopped me. I felt Him ask me “How well do you know the parable of the lost sheep?” I smiled and thought I know it well enough to see what he was telling me.
I don’t understand how there is such a division among Christians. Are we more concerned with safety over love? We all believe that we are sinners. We believe Jesus Christ, God in human form died for the sin of mankind, ALL mankind. I pray for wisdom and understanding. I don’t know if this is the platform for these thoughts and emotions but thanks for reading.
