In 1961, a ninety-six-mile-long wall was erected by the communist East German government to prevent residents of East Berlin from moving to West Berlin. The wall split families and friends for twenty-eight years and East German guards were ordered to shoot anybody who attempted to cross to West Berlin. Nearly one hundred people died trying to escape.
On Nov. 9, 1989, jubilant East and West Berliners began tearing down the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Iron Curtain for 28 years. Tears of joy ran down the faces of loved ones as they freely embraced family members and friends, now free to move back and forth from the East to the West.
Yet, we continue to build walls and fences between us today. We fear the unknown. If someone doesn't think, act, or believe the way we do, we tend not to trust them, and we begin to build walls between us.
God loves all of us, for He created us in His image. His purpose for us, as believers, is to reach out to those who are not yet members of His family, and bring them in, rather than build walls to keep them out.
The Berlin Wall fell because the will of the people, the spirit of freedom, didn't give up. Liberty, the cry of every human heart, triumphed. People are still crying out for liberty, acceptance, forgiveness, and love. Isn't that the reason Jesus sacrificed Himself for us?
Ephesians 5:2 – Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (NLT)
Today, will you build a wall between yourself and someone that you don't understand or will you reach out in love? In Christ, we are able.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)
Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire us to become a welcoming church to all people. Help us to stop labelling people and start looking through the eyes of Jesus at one another as beloved children of Yours. Help us to break down the walls that divide us. In Jesus' name, we ask. Amen.
Tearing Down Walls
June 7, 2015
by Rosemary Hagedorn
About the author:
Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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A very good reminder Rosemary.
Amen Rosy! We need to keep communications open to all peoples.
Your devotional today is very special and meaningful to me. Thank you.
Thank you for this devotional. It touched me and was exactly what I needed today.
I enjoyed your words so much.
(B.C.)
Hi Rosy:
Beautifully and wonderfully said. Amen.
Rosemary
That was excellent.
God bless.
Dear Rosemary,
I really enjoy your devotional “Tearing Down Walls”.
Thank you.
Good message Rosy,
You were right on target. Hope this inspires others.
God’s peace be with you.
This is a very difficult thing to do with the Muslin population in our midst because of the actions of SOME of their religious members. If is difficult to know how to reach out to them and not become a target for SOME of the others. How would Jesus do this? I guess He would reach out and take the consequences. I’m not sure that I or many others would or can imagine doing this and yet we all want to be good Christians. It is a problem that I am not able to figure out even though I will never deny my Saviour, I would need a lot of courageous help from God above to embrace the people that are doing such atrocities to others. I earnestly pray that God will guide the Christian communities in the world to be able to combat the radicals in a peaceful way and guide them to know that God is a God of love, not murder.
Hi Rosemary once again I found your devotional very encouraging. May the Lord continue encouraging you as you write for Him. God Bless.
Thank you for your wisdom.
Thanks for a fresh look. I am reminded of what Apostle Paul said: 1 Cor 9:19.