~:[CH15 - Day 66]:~ In God We Trust

 
~:[CH15 - Day 66]:~ In God We Trust

It was a blessed evening. I was invited by one of my former students to an event he organized. I remember when he first started planning it and he talked about what he was creating and how it would start in a smaller space. In just a short time, he grew that idea in his mind into something grand. As I sat in the Irvine Bethel Church, I was proud to be watching this production he created and to hear the message that was being passed on. They talked about how the performers were from different areas, with different background, some coming from as far as Mexico or South Korea, but they all spoke the same language. The mentioned how these performances were all for the Lord, as they gave all parts of themselves - mind, body, and soul. As the pastor closed out the service, she talked about the struggles we are facing. The war, the hate, and all the sins of the world. She talked about how the new generations competed for likes and fame, rather than what they truly should be focused on. She then asked for a new generation to lead to the way to guide those around them to the promise land. One performer closed their set by saying, this is what it will feel like when we are dancing together in heaven. Whether you are religious or not though, I think the message of this evening can be conveyed to anyone. We live in tough times. We live in competitive For each of us, we need to focus on doing the right thing, being kind togethers, and doing things, not for likes and fame, but from the goodness of our heart. We need to pass on the positive vibes, selflessness, and good spirit that this world should be filled with. The world is so polarized between races, religions, gender, orientations, and locations among other things that we failed to see that we all are from the same mold, the human race. We may speak thousands of different tongues, but kindness and compassion is a language we can all understand. As I sat through each performance, it was great to watch my former students and others I knew perform and give themselves to something they believed in. They did so while connecting with those around them. It was in God that they put their full faith and you could see that they put their all into worshipping Him. Regardless, however, people of all faiths, denominations, or even those who are atheists, can live by the same message - love, kindness, and compassion. It's easy to judge, easy to hate, and easy to isolate, but it's just as easy to accept, to love, and to accept. It's a choice and while we live in a world of sides, while don't we make it into a world of sides that help create a foundation for all of us to stand together. In the many stories we heard, Jesus invited the most scorned to his side. He did not judge, he did not hate, he did not isolate. Much like God accepts us all, we must be willing to lend our hands to those around us. I've always found it interesting that on our money, "In God We Trust" is on there. Not because of it's religious context, but because money tends to be seen as materialistic and the root of all evil. I often have seen this as just a label, as if we truly trust in God, our actions will be what demonstrates who we are. Can we be considered a people and country of God based on our actions? Instead of simply having a phrase or label, I hope our actions speak to who we are as people and as a country. As we closed out the night, I was overjoyed to see how it all turned out and how each of these performers gave all of themselves to exclaim that it was in God they trusted. Whether or not it's in God you trust or not, I hope that we can trust in this human race and show love, show kindness, and show compassion to all people. Instead of just being a phrase on a dollar bill or a label to our names, I hope we can truly be people who can make this world a better place for all people.