Some wise words on hate.

A few years ago a very good friend of mine, Piet Greyling, gave me some of the best advice that I have ever received - he encouraged me to 'live on the side of hope' (these are my words, but his sentiment).  He encouraged me to escape cynicism and overcome prejudice and even hate, in order to find the freedom to truly live and honour God with the very best, and first fruit, of my life.

Today I was reminded of that advice.  Piet gave it to me when I was facing some rather harsh pressure and attack that was racially motivated.  I believed, at that stage, that I had every right to be angry with those who were prejudiced towards me because of nothing other than my race.  I believed that I had a right to be angry, and even to judge them, because of what they were doing.  Then I realised, if I should do so I would place myself under their power and control.  You see, I had a choice to overcome my feelings of self-righteousness and operate on a level of gracious transcendence that would give me freedom and choice to live fully and freely, not just in response to the actions and views of others!

I have seen how hatred eats up individuals and communities.  Have you?  Here's some good advice from Martin Luther King Jr.

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. 

- Martin Luther King Jr.