We are trying to teach our children the difference between right and wrong, that we know right from wrong at an early age, and choosing the wrong path is exactly that, a choice.   It is our God-given conscience or instinct, and that we can see proof of God’s existence everywhere… even within ourselves!

A couple years ago I was required to take a college course called Global Citizenship.  This class is mandatory for every student at Globe University, and believe me I did not want to take it.  I figured it would focus on going “green” conserving the world’s resources, blah blah blah, but boy did God show me something!!

The required reading for the class was Peter Block’s book “Community: The Structure of Belonging.”

In this book, the author directly goes against what is drummed into us by the world, by focusing on our need to belong, and not to be separated or self-focused.

WHOA!

Now, did the author say, “Let’s go back to the roots…back to the beginning…where God intended?”  Of course not, but God is clearly speaking through this course…and that was NOT expected.

About two weeks into the semester, we had to do a group project… and “Surprise!” we only had one week to prepare.

It was amazing how God worked out the details before we even met!  He brought together five total strangers, and we were to present the “Citizenship” chapter of reading to the class.  None of us had spoken or even knew each other’s name before we were placed together, but each of us had taken it upon ourselves to read ahead in the chapter we were covering!!

Sweet!!  We were ahead of the game!

As we read, God touched each of us differently using each aspect of the chapter we were covering:

  • Christina – Rights/Responsibility
  • Becki – Accountability
  • Me – Entitlement
  • Connie – Golden Rule

He even gave Connie a disturbing example of anti-citizenship from a news report shown earlier in the week!!

UNBELIEVABLE.

We weren’t entirely sure how to bring everything together, but God led our conversations and within an hour we had a rough outline and plan.

We all started working on our own, conversing mostly through email, and found that God had unified us in ideas and plans.  One of the gals even said something about how amazing it was how quickly it was falling into place!

Yeah…isn’t that just how God works?!

We even thought we might even have a perfect closing video from 9/11 showing true community coming together from terrible tragedy…but we weren’t all in agreement with which video to use.

What was so shocking to me through this whole project was how a secular college required each student to take this Global Citizenship class in which they would read a book that held a recurring theme to be “our brother’s keeper,” essentially that we need to care for one another.

Hmmm…”oddly” similar to:

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”   Galatians 5:14

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”   Matthew 7:12

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”   Romans 12:10

On my way to work one morning, I got in the car and the first song I heard was “Hold Us Together” by Matt Maher.  It was exactly the thing I was looking for as the closing video to our presentation, and the other girls agreed wholeheartedly!

Praise God for His perfect timing!!

“For there is a time and a way for everything,”   Ecclesiastes 8:5a

It has just been so cool and such a blessing how the class has agreed and supported the, essentially Biblical, ideas of what a citizen looks like and how we are to treat others.  God has given us the innate ability to know how to treat others, to know right and wrong…

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”   Romans 1:19

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.  They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.”   Romans 2:14-15

and make the right choices…

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”   1 Corinthians 10:13

And when a wrong choice is made…it is hardwired within us to know we need to make it right;

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”   James 4:17

UPDATE: Woman Who Taunted Dying Girl Now Offers Apology    myFoxDetroit.com video

myFOXDetroit.com Staff – Jennifer Petkov told FOX 2 Friday night that she never really meant any ill wishes towards Kathleen Edward or her family.  Scott and Jennifer Petkov even went so far as to display a lighted candle on their porch at the same time dozens of strangers were gathering across the street in front of Kathleen’s home.  “If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t do it,” Jennifer Petkov told Ronnie Dahl. “And to that little girl, I apologize if you’ve been hurt. There’s not much more I can say. And hopefully we can live our lives peacefully from now on.”

…and thankfully, followers of Christ are given a helper…

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”   John 14:16-17