Red Faced and All Together Cheerful

Man, sometimes I am embarrassed to be a person living in 21st century America. Today, was one of those days. What, Sue!?!? Don't you love living in the greatest country in the world? Don't you enjoy, maybe even take for granted, countless freedoms that many people sacrificed and died for you to have? Where is your gratitude? Where is your patriotism? How can you be so unappreciative?

Those are valid questions. Yes, I love living in this country during this time period. I can't count how many times I've been blessed with an abundance of choices and comforts. I don't have to give a second thought to whether my basic needs will be met today, tomorrow or ever. I can travel freely, read, watch or listen to any type of media without fear, openly worship and practice my religion and I have a multitude of forums to speak my mind. I go to bed feeling relatively safe and when I wake up, I can be rather confident that nothing catastrophic will happen to me or my loved ones. So, what's to be embarrassed about? 

I am embarrassed by the idea of exclusivity. I am disgusted by the idea that considering viewpoints that differ from your own is so distasteful for some people. Who is to say, "I'm right, you're wrong?" This way is the only way. All other opinions should be immediately disqualified and protested. When a company such as Starbucks chooses to "embrace the simplicity and quietness" of the holiday season by omitting any special ornamentation from their red cup design, some people take it upon themselves to say that Starbucks is oppressing Christianity. When a retail establishment instructs its employees to wish people Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, they are not just being politically correct. They are being considerate of all peoples traditions and beliefs. I have news for you 'Murica, Jesus was inclusive! 

When asked what the most important commandment was, he had a simple reply - love one another. Is this love exclusive? Obviously not, because he hung around with some of the most underprivileged and biggest scourges of his time. When he gave the great commission, did he say to only share his good news with the rich, those of a certain race, or those who were practicing the right denomination of the right religion? Nope, he instructed the followers of his way to go out and make disciples of all nations. His message was to bring peace to the world through deeds, words and obedience. What he asked for most of all, was to put your faith in him and not your own self. When we lean only on our own understanding, we are not only exclusive, we minimize the greatness of God. As a self proclaimed follower of Christ, I find the idea that I have enough understanding to be confident that I know anything to be contemptuous. It is with this humility that I seek God in all men and women. 

Therefore, I ask you to consider this. Most Christians aren't offended by Starbucks red cup design this year. Saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas isn't dissing Jesus. It is actually obeying him. So, I am going to continue to do my best to spread the love and inclusive attitude of the man I am counting on to be my salvation.

After all, WWJD?