The Problem of Hatred

The last week I worked before taking medical leave, I had the pleasure of training a new girl in the bakery. She was an absolute sweetheart – eager to learn, and quick to smile. Her work ethic was like no other; she sincerely wanted to do all she could, and do it properly.

During this time period, the tragic church shooting occurred in Charleston, South Carolina. As we were bagging bread, my trainee brought up the subject, and confided that “being shot because of the color of her skin” was her worst fear.

Her skin is beautiful. Fashioned by God Himself, it is the color of dark, rich coffee. The thought that this girl, with her 18-year-old innocent brown eyes, musical laugh and sparkling personality could be wiped out for that reason (or any reason, really) is simply unfathomable. 

Hatred and bigotry is running rampant in the world; one of the tools of our enemy, whose goal is to divide and destroy. A beautiful friend of mine has shared the quote “It’s not a skin problem; it’s a sin problem,” and that is so true. The devil doesn’t care who we hate – blacks; Muslims; gays; Mexicans; Irish; ex cons; drug users; rich people; poor people… he just wants us to focus on anything besides the fact that all mankind is lost and in need of redemption by the cross of Jesus.

The good news is that Jesus came to save people of every skin color. The only color that matters to Him is the red of His precious blood, which covers all who will accept Him as Savior. Through His death and resurrection, people of all races and culture are made one and are bound together in love, to be part of an eternal family. I wish more people could understand. 

Photo by Digitalart, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net