Don't Laugh at Me

 

It is common decency - the kind that seems in such jeopardy these days. It seems out of favor to look into the eyes of another and see the image of God.

Jesus said we ought to look for Him in the broken, wounded, and ostracized.

"Don't laugh at me. Don't call me names. Don't get your pleasure from my pain."

We don't have to all be friends. We don't have to agree with each other politically, spiritually, or in any way.

We don't have to approve of each others' choices, lifestyles, behaviors, or beliefs.

We do need to be decent to each other. We need to respect each other as children of God. We need to learn to live by love and reject hate.

We need to approach each other with open hands and hearts.

That is what this song says to me.

What we used to call common courtesy, people shrug off these days as political correctness. In fact, it seems to be politically incorrect to ask people to embrace these old fashioned values for fear that we will be considered politically correct.

But the real hurts and hearts of people have not changed. Everyone needs to feel loved and accepted. Everyone needs to feel valued by God and others. Everyone deserves a change. Everyone is entitled to respect. All people ought to be allowed to live without being judged by anyone except the Almighty who is gracious and merciful.

This is not about accepting everyone's values as equal. It is about accepting everyone's humanity as equal.

We need to hear and heed these words today more than ever.

Listen and  ....

... take courage.