In the
International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, England, the devastation of
generations of enslaved men, women, and children is remembered. The price
innocent people have paid for the greed of others is horrific—but theirs is not
the only cost. Engraved in a wall of the museum is a profound observation made
by Frederick Douglass, former slave and crusader for human rights, which reads,
“No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last
finding the other end fastened about his own neck.” In the act of dehumanizing
others, we dehumanize ourselves.
The
apostle Paul put it another way when he wrote, “Do not be deceived, God is not
mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Paul’s
words form a stark reminder to us that our choices have consequences—and that
includes how we choose to treat others. When we choose to hate, that hate can
return to us in the form of consequences that we can never fully prepare for.
We can find ourselves alienated from others, angry with ourselves, and
hamstrung in our ability to serve Christ effectively.
Instead, let’s choose “not [to] grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap . . . . As we have opportunity, let us do good to all” (vv.9-10).
determine the kind of fruit we’ll reap tomorrow. (RBC)
