My family went on a trip to Europe this summer, an early senior trip with our twins; we don’t know what their next summer schedules will be, so we seized the day and did so joyfully. It was a glorious time together. While there, some interesting events transpired. To our utter disbelief, we learned of Trump almost being assassinated from an ocean away. It was unbelievably awful and surreal. Soon after, we continued on our planned itinerary and had the wrenching honor of visiting Auschwitz. It was beyond sobering to behold what hate clothed with action can produce. Hatred is so ravenous and unrelenting; in its midst, grace has no breath or existence.
Images from Auschwitz will stay with me forever—horribly cramped barracks, chambers and ovens used for mass exterminations, piles of people’s possessions stolen and categorized by fastidious murderers. And the most straining visual for me, a gigantic room full of human hair. We found out the Nazis would weave people’s hair into a fabric that can only be described as grotesque. All of this reminded me of how precious each life is and how this can be so rapidly and systematically forgotten.
In this election cycle that carries such starkly differing visions and policies, I want to be a voice that never loses sight of the humanity of anyone, for we just cannot afford to do so and remain truly human. If we do, we risk becoming monsters.
This does not mean that I do not have very strong opinions about the policies I want moving forward; I even gave money for the first time to a presidential candidate because I believe the policy differences are so incredibly crucial for the welfare of our people and country.
That being said, I wish no ill will on those I vehemently disagree with nor hope do not get in office. I would never want this reality for Harris or Trump (though this has horrifically happened to him twice now); both of them are people who have families and friends that love them deeply.
I personally believe this is a seminal election that can set the tone for good or ill for our country, but I am trying not to fall into the trap of dehumanizing those running against my version of what is best for America. If I do, I will repudiate all that is excellent in the lofty vision of America set forth by our Founding Fathers, in which “all men are created equal….endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” as our Declaration of Independence declares!
Moreover, as a Christian, I believe every single person is made in the image of God, as we see in Genesis. When you look at people with this truth as your vision, you simply cannot hate someone easily. Even those we fiercely oppose politically are so precious to God, are made in His image like we are, and are someone He came to die for, just as He did for you and for me. This humbles me to the core. Far too often than we will admit, we secretly believe God is on our side because we are “better,” more “righteous” than our enemies. God may be pleased with our views because we are upholding Scripture (if, indeed, we are interpreting it correctly), but He is certainly not any upholder of our pride; He opposes the proud. ‘Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”’ (James 4:6)
So, go campaign, give money, participate in respectful debates with others (I am trying to do this), be an involved and informed citizen, and vote, but do so humbly; do so remembering that others bear His image just because they were created by God. Do this remembering what it looks like if we don’t…
Auschwitz is a place I wish we could all visit once so that we never forget what it looks like when hatred is given meticulous, murderous infrastructure. May it never happen here. Jesus, keep us strong, truthful, loving, uncompromising but ever humble.
Images from Auschwitz will stay with me forever—horribly cramped barracks, chambers and ovens used for mass exterminations, piles of people’s possessions stolen and categorized by fastidious murderers. And the most straining visual for me, a gigantic room full of human hair. We found out the Nazis would weave people’s hair into a fabric that can only be described as grotesque. All of this reminded me of how precious each life is and how this can be so rapidly and systematically forgotten.
In this election cycle that carries such starkly differing visions and policies, I want to be a voice that never loses sight of the humanity of anyone, for we just cannot afford to do so and remain truly human. If we do, we risk becoming monsters.
This does not mean that I do not have very strong opinions about the policies I want moving forward; I even gave money for the first time to a presidential candidate because I believe the policy differences are so incredibly crucial for the welfare of our people and country.
That being said, I wish no ill will on those I vehemently disagree with nor hope do not get in office. I would never want this reality for Harris or Trump (though this has horrifically happened to him twice now); both of them are people who have families and friends that love them deeply.
I personally believe this is a seminal election that can set the tone for good or ill for our country, but I am trying not to fall into the trap of dehumanizing those running against my version of what is best for America. If I do, I will repudiate all that is excellent in the lofty vision of America set forth by our Founding Fathers, in which “all men are created equal….endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” as our Declaration of Independence declares!
Moreover, as a Christian, I believe every single person is made in the image of God, as we see in Genesis. When you look at people with this truth as your vision, you simply cannot hate someone easily. Even those we fiercely oppose politically are so precious to God, are made in His image like we are, and are someone He came to die for, just as He did for you and for me. This humbles me to the core. Far too often than we will admit, we secretly believe God is on our side because we are “better,” more “righteous” than our enemies. God may be pleased with our views because we are upholding Scripture (if, indeed, we are interpreting it correctly), but He is certainly not any upholder of our pride; He opposes the proud. ‘Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”’ (James 4:6)
So, go campaign, give money, participate in respectful debates with others (I am trying to do this), be an involved and informed citizen, and vote, but do so humbly; do so remembering that others bear His image just because they were created by God. Do this remembering what it looks like if we don’t…
Auschwitz is a place I wish we could all visit once so that we never forget what it looks like when hatred is given meticulous, murderous infrastructure. May it never happen here. Jesus, keep us strong, truthful, loving, uncompromising but ever humble.
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