Last night, before I went to sleep I started reading the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. I have been meaning to read his story for a long time. He has lived an extraordinary life and I know that I have much to learn from his journey. His life began in simplicity. He came from a large family with very little material wealth. However, as a boy growing up in a small village in Africa, God was filling Nelson’s heart with a great abundance of life that money and possessions cannot give to a person. God gave Nelson eyes to see the world around him and appreciate the gift of God’s creation. This good beginning was a catalyst to the calling that was on his life.
This morning as I was lying in bed listening for the voice of God, How the Grinch Stole Christmas popped into my head. I lay there thinking about that story and I began to see how this story mirrors what is happening in our country right now.
Cast of Characters
Grinch – played by the 1%
The people of Whoville – 99%
The Grinch was a very unhappy creature and was suffering from a heart that was too small. In his attempt to make himself feel better, he inflicted pain and suffering on the people of Whoville by stealing from them. He thought that maybe if he used his power to push them down and oppress them by taking away Christmas, then they would be as miserable as he was. The Grinch, in his warped and twisted mind thought that the way to find peace was by having more than his share. So he set out to rob everyone in town of their happiness.
The shocking ending to this story is how, the now, poor and oppressed people of Whoville responded to the Grinch’s greed. Instead of starting a war with the Grinch, they chose to come out into the town square and gather in peace and love as a community in solidarity. It was this love that they shared with one another that finally created change in the mind of the Grinch and ultimately enlarged his heart. He was transformed by the love that the people of Whoville gave to one another.
I pray that as the people of our nation and our world come out into the streets and join together in solidarity that the hearts of the 1% will be opened and we will witness a miracle.
This morning as I was pouring myself a cup of coffee, I asked God to give me hope. Part of my morning ritual is studying the Bible and lately I have been studying the book of Romans. My passage reading for today was the following:
Romans 15:1-6
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, I pray that you will give those who are strong and have much a heart of compassion and generosity to those who are weak and poor. May we as a community seek to build one another up. God, I pray for you to fill us with hope. Enlarge our hearts and give us your eyes to see one another as you see us.
