Often when we are younger, especially in our teens, we are highly sensitive to the criticism and opinions of our peers. Teenage life in our society is socially competitive; there is much pressure to conform and look normal. This peer group pressure continues on throughout life, it doesn't just end because we are no longer in high school.
The western workforce is a corporate engineered social space. Corporations place high demands on workers and upper management alike; expectations of dress, appearance, conduct and even our lives outside of the work place are scrutinized. There is little freedom of speech at work. Many people are routinely fired for speaking their political or religious opinions openly, even when it's outside the working hours.
History has shown that the world is often in opposition to its best citizens. A short list of those that have been marginalized, imprisoned or even killed for their efforts would include: Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, JFK, Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton and Abraham Lincoln.
Almost all the key figures in the Bible were murdered including all the 16 prophets who spoke out against the ruling political and religious elites. Scores of the early church were thrown to the lions. We cannot forget that Yeshua son of Yusef was murdered by his political enemies, even though Christianity continues to glamorize this most horrendous of assassinations.
It takes courage to go up against the status quo. They will hate you for it. Man is an animal and still reverts to the herd instinct for survival and security so expect even our supposedly enlightened leaders to close ranks.
Joshua ben Joseph said these words of encouragement, "Happy are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven."
Did you hear that? "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad." Wow. Nowhere else does Joshua use this phrase. He also teaches us to love those who persecute us and to pray for our enemies the most, so we don't fall into the error of hating them in return.
Each of us has a unique voice, a special calling. There is some unique purpose we are asked to do. When Joshua departed this world, he said, "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have triumphed in the world."
コメント