Have you heard the song that starts, “Why can’t we be friends”? Why can’t we get along? A state of belonging to a social group that has some commonality is ethnicity. The commonality may be national or cultural. The term ethnic usually relates to a sub group within a larger national or cultural group. So why do we care? This may explain to some degree why we can’t get along. We can’t cross over our prejudices to see another’s value. During the event where a team of boys, after soccer practice, were trapped in a cave in Thailand, everyone around the world witnessed the miracle of their rescue. Religious or political beliefs were put away as all humans came together in the hopes of seeing the miracle. Miracles are shared by all.
Jesus fed 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Was that considered a miracle? Yes, but sometimes missed in the story is no ethnic group distinction. In other words, they all got fed. Some versions even specify 5,000 men so women and children were also fed. Perhaps, the number is far greater than 5,000. After the feeding, it was time to cross the lake for new miracles to be seen. Jesus walks on water. Go figure! (John 6:1-21)
Why can’t we bridge our ethnicity or social group to cross over to other groups? I believe we can, but first we must remove the stigma that breeds hatred for one another. In Ephesians 3:15, “Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him (God).” If God recognizes all, why can’t we? If the joy of sharing miracles can break down ethnic barriers, why can’t we spread love instead of hate?
T