The RACE is against Sin, not against each other

One of my sisters shared this BYU devotional talk with me several months ago, and I have listened to it several times since. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1RR9v7u1unM

 It had been a while, however, since the last time I took the opportunity to listen and reflect on the words of this talk. Just a moment ago I turned it on while cleaning up the house and it struck me so differently this time; because of the circumstances now surrounding our world and society in this moment. I refer to this talk over and over to help my self-esteem, to remember my identity and to essentially “forget myself, and go to work.” But this time the words pierced me with a sound of loving others, not comparing THEM to myself. Rather than thinking about not comparing myself to others. Don’t compare others. Don’t stereotype. Don’t judge. Please note - I already had a firm belief in loving others and leaving judgment to God, but I was compelled to ask myself “what more can I do?” “How can I help in this world of chaos and unrest that we live in?” Especially when the unrest is not as apparent, in our quiet and relatively peaceful village here in upstate NY. My personal life hasn’t changed. But every morning and evening last week that the kids and I drove Tim to  and from work, we passed a small group of “activists” holding their “Black Lives Matter” signs, “justice,” “peace” etc. I smiled and waved whenever we drove by, to show my support. “I guess they have nothing better to do” Tim and I said to each other. Oops. Yikes. How many times have similar thoughts passed through my lips? Not trying to be snide, not trying to judge, not intentionally anyway. And no, I wasn’t thinking they were wasting their time, because black lives DO matter and there are still so many things that need to change in our society. So why did I say that? I guess I just want to see a REAL difference. And here I am continuing to live my life as always, while others are at least showing their support and beliefs by holding signs for the public to see. It’s a small start, but it’s something. So here I am. Writing a blog post on todays racial issues. It’s a start. 

A few years ago, the cover of my BYU humanities magazine included serval portraits of people from around the world. I cut out the facial features, remembering a game my siblings and I used to play (or craft rather): We would cut out magazine photos to create a new scene or face. (Probably inspired by The Truman Show). I had saved these strips of paper for all these years, wanting to create an art piece with them but never finding the time. I did bring them alonginour last move but lost 5 or 6 pieces. Here is what I “pieced” back together today. “The Races of the World”

The worth of every person has been on my mind more than ever. How could it not be with everything going on outside? Just tonight as we were finishing up our Book of Mormon reading, I read verse 35 which says “ Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.”

Romans 2:11

“For there is no ​​​respect​ of ​​​persons​ with God.”

2 Nephi 26:33

“... and he ​​​denieth​ none that come ​​unto him, black and white, ​​​bond​ and free, male and female; and he remembereth the ​​​heathen​; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.”

“ 37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.”

Titus 3:

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,