The Best Minute: On Justice, diversity, and helping people who are grieving

2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS

I. Cornel West on justice:

“Justice is what love looks like in public.”

II. Jemar Tisby on the implications of all people being created in the image of God:

“If human beings are the image of God, then that image includes our skin color. The doctrine of the image of God teaches us that Black people and other people of color do not have to “become white” in any sense in order to be treated with respect.

Whether it is one’s pattern of speech, clothing, hairstyle, zip code, schooling, or interests, the subtle and sometimes overt message to people of color is, “In order for us to accept you, your color and your culture must go. You must become white.” But the image of God teaches that no part of the way God created us has to be abandoned in order to gain the respect of other bearers. God does not mistake unity for uniformity, God celebrates diversity.”

2 IDEAS FROM ME

I. In the Biblical book of Exodus, we see that God’s laws are given to God’s people to demonstrate God’s love. God first rescued Israel and then showed them how to live in a way that honors God and love people.

Because Jesus is the perfect embodiment of love, it makes sense that Scripture tells us that he fulfilled the law. The laws were not meant as a burden for God’s people, but a blessing.

II. When you are with someone who is grieving, don’t ask them if there is anything you can do. Instead, offer something specific you would like to do and give them the option of accepting and declining.

They’ll appreciate not having the pressure to ask for something and will be much more likely to accept your help.

1 RANDOM FACT

Stop signs used to be yellow.

Yellow wasn’t their first choice, however. They actually did consider making stop signs red, since red already meant “stop” on electric traffic lights, which had been invented in 1912. The problem was that, back then, there was no red dye that wouldn’t fade over time.

By 1954, sign makers began using a fade-resistant porcelain enamel. The red color fading was no longer a problem. That year, the Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices declared that, henceforth, stop signs would be red with white lettering.

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