I think what has disturbed the majority of us these last few years is our confusion over why rejection has replaced love, insensitivity has replaced compassion and lies have become so popular over truth. We have been jarred out of the illusion that racism had been largely defeated, and that caring for one another was the value of the day.

We have a lot of listening and learning to do about what drives the rage and attack against honesty and integrity, and why so many Christians abandon following Jesus. Many whom we have positively regarded in the past have become enigmas, and leave us wondering, “Where has respect gone?” When did we cross over to start agreeing that the rich and privileged should have their way, preying on the backs of the common man? When did selfishness replace caring for the planet, and money become more important than people?

When did we embrace the idea that sick people can be discarded, that those fleeing violence can be abandoned? When did we forsake our morals and let fear start to control our decisions? When did manipulation, bullying and overpowering become preferable to working together for the good of all?

What I know for sure is that only love conquers fear, that attack breeds attack and that people learn caring through example. In our disillusionment over the progress we thought we had made, many of us are left mystified and discouraged, as we realize that consideration for others has given way to a “me first” attitude that only leads to separation and animosity for our brothers and sisters of humanity.

I have learned over the years, that for many of us, we only change when the pain of not changing overwhelms our commitment to the denial that condemning one another is not working.

We must listen to each other’s fears, for only in speaking honestly about what truly bothers us with vulnerability will we ever be reunited to feel the oneness that we are. Humility precedes healing. When we’re tired enough of the fighting, we will once again embrace cooperating. And that, will be our salvation.

David Larson

Albert Lea