God Deserves _____.
I’ve argued before that centering your life on what you think you “deserve” is a great way to be miserable; a meaningful life focuses on attending to the needs and dignity of others. But perhaps due to the extent of human suffering, we become numb to even acknowledge these disparities, until the pain demands it of us.
Amid the scandals of ICE here in the States, I see people argue about how people don’t or do “deserve” it. There’s a new “it” inflicted and justified every news cycle.
This kind of argument, focusing on the “deservingness” of an individual person, seems limiting. I think of it as emotional bureaucracy, paperwork meant to shorten our capacity for thinking clearly or caring effectively. Also, we’re appealing to the wrong things, as if family, culture, or passport color determines a right to kindness or cruelty.
As always, Christ calls us to something higher. Violations of human dignity are not just crimes against the individual, the community, or a particular identity; it is a violation of the image of God Himself.
St. James speaks about the tongue,“with it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” - James 3:10
More, we tremble at this thought, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks… on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak.” - Matt. 12:36
How much harder to deny someone dignity when we remember it is ultimately God’s right to be honored, and how humbling to acknowledge His image defines human life.
Springfield, Ohio
As my hometown braces for the arrival of ICE in tandem with the expiration of Haitian refugees’ temporary protection status, I’m encouraged by the work of local churches and Christians, including working politically to advocate for human dignity.
Check out this article about my friends & Springfield locals, Chloe and Jason Reep, as they’ve urged state and federal lawmakers to push for the extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.
Their petition, Springfield Speaks, is open to all supporters. Zip codes are collected to specifically identify residents and stakeholders in the Springfield/Clark County area and the State of Ohio.
