Boundaries are a matter of conscience. Recognizing the rights of God and man is simply an issue of what we ought to commonly know. No one really needs to tell us not to kill, steal or destroy. We are smarter than that.
Nevertheless, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” Isaiah 53:6. We have wandered into other territory. We have eaten grass in someone else’s field. We have taken what is not ours to take. We have made subjective choices according to personal need or desire. All of us. And we have each had someone wander into our territory, eat our grass and take what is not theirs to take. Everyone has lost what is rightfully theirs. We have all lost rights.
What to do in the midst of injustice?! How to handle my loss of rights?! Truth be told, you and I need what was taken. We need the air and food, nurture and protection, friendship and affection! But someone has walked away with handfuls of our rights and authority. Someone has taken our basic needs of survival!
What to do?! I could kick, scream and blame. Become angry. Yes, I will probably do all of these. But then what will I do? There are a number of possibilities. This is the moment of choice. The moment where Cain’s eyes linger upon Abel in unjustified anger. The moment where we each lay down our rights and take up the cause of others. Or the moment where we hold tight to them and take the life of another….
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