Have you ever noticed that the majority of war movies or even just movies that have battle scenes, that the enemy is faceless? The focus of the story is on the ‘good guys’ or ‘us’ and how their life mattered. Their families and friends, their dreams and hopes, and how if they died or were injured the world would be different. The ‘enemy’ is evil or wrong. We don’t get to know about their loved ones or ambitions. What brought them to the battlefield? Evil apparently. They wear masks or helmets, and while we might see their eyes all we see is hate or evil. The ‘enemy’ is almost always de-humanized.
Now, think of that driver who cut you off on the commute to work. You might have seen their face, but probably not. What’s their story? Were they a just a jerk? What if they were in an emergency or life and death situation? You’d never know, you just know how they apparently treated you.
Or think of the political party you disagree with. Or the cause you have decided is ridiculous or unworthy of your time or consideration. Or, think of the people who live a different lifestyle. You think these people are ignorant at best and evil at worse.
Do those people have faces? Do they have stories? Or do you just see the car? Was it just a Ford Taurus that sped past you? Not likely (sorry not sorry, haha). Was it just a crazy motorcycle that whipped around traffic? Look closer. There’s a driver, with hopes, dreams, fears, stress, JUST LIKE YOU. Have you really never done anything to break a traffic law??
What happens when that way of life, belief, or cause gets a face? Now that different lifestyle is a family member. Or now your life-long friends changes their view on a topic you are adamantly against. Can you still look them in the eye? Can you even still talk with them?
I believe I was designed to be an empathetic person. I wasn’t always this way, but after 40+ years, it has become more natural to me. Here’s my advice. See the faces. Hear their stories. If you can’t physically do those things, just read other blogs or pick up a book. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Somethings and someones in their lives shaped how and who they are. JUST LIKE YOU! Let your heart expand just a fraction of a millimeter and see outside of your life.
See the person who Christ died for. He died for you and would have if you were the only person who ever took Him up on His offer of forgiveness and eternal life. But He did the same for each person. All 8 billion (or whatever the count is now). He knows every single name and every single hair on every single head. He knows every single sin, and died for every single one. But HE STILL RESURRECTED and HE STILL OFFERS THAT LOVE AND MERCY to every individual person!
Maybe you don’t believe in what I just said about Christ’s death and resurrection. I still love you as a person. I still care that you are alive and that you have beliefs and ideas, hopes and fears. You have a face. You have a name. You have a story.
Remember, so do ‘they’!
Bragging on the Lord 