Value one another

If you watched the Golden Globes last month, you may have noticed that actors and actresses wore all black attire, as well as black pins saying, “Times Up.” On January 1, 2018, three hundred powerful women in Hollywood announced the Times Up initiative to combat sexual harassment and systemic sexism in the workplace. The announcement appeared as a letter published in the New York Times. Times Up, along with other movements such as the #metoo campaign, have increased awareness of sexual abuse and inequalities for women.

The root of the problem

It’s impossible to watch or listen to a news broadcast without being aware of a constant onslaught of stories about sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Many blame this epidemic on our over-sexualized society, a lack of laws and policies in the workplace, pornography, gender roles and stereotypes, misuse of power, and so forth. But what if the problem is something much deeper, something within each of us? The root of the problem has to do with the way we view one another, which then affects the way we treat one another. And the way we treat one another reveals their value to us. What would the world look like if we truly valued one another the way God values us?

Through God’s eyes

The way we view and treat one another deeply matters to God. When we view others who are different from us with less value than ourselves, we open the door for all kinds of evil. If we consider others less valuable than ourselves, we are more likely to take advantage of them in some way. This is not love. Jesus warns us about this type of selfishness and commands us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). When we truly value one another, we view one another through God’s eyes and through a lens of humility and respect.

Question of the day: How do you take care of your most treasured belongings?
Focal scriptures: Deuteronomy 14:1-2; Philippians 2:1-11; John 8:1-11

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.