Dec 7th, 2023: The Absence of Gentleness

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." - Philippians 4:5

The public sphere is heavily marked by anger and hostility, lacking a willingness to understand differing perspectives. Instead of engaging in meaningful discourse, there's a tendency to resort to conflict. Universities, once bastions of truth and learning, seem now to serve as platforms for misguided ideologies embraced by their students.

The joy of learning seems lost, contributing to dull minds and hardened hearts devoid of compassion. Kindness fades away, and gentleness appears scarce. Discussions on issues occur without acknowledging personal accountability, as seen when protesters advocate against oil usage while donning clothing largely derived from petroleum products.

The absence of motivation to seek truth with kindness might stem from the rejection of God, who embodies truth, compassion, and kindness. Believing in complete freedom from wrongdoing obscures the necessity of kindness, which should arise from acknowledging our human brokenness and learning from it.