Monday; December 11

I didn’t realize it until it had almost passed, but yesterday was Human Rights Day.  There has been a lot of focus on human rights recently, so I was a little bit shocked to find out that Human Rights Day has been celebrated on December 10 since 1948.  As I did some investigating into the idea behind Human Rights Day, I came upon the United Nation’s Human Rights Day website where they quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?  In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world […]  Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.  Without concerted action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”  As I read the former First Lady’s comments I accepted their value when set against the backdrop of the ending of World War II and the beginning of a Cold War, however I still felt like there was something missing.  Where do universal human rights begin?
The more I pondered this question, the stronger the pull back to the Bible.  All good and noble efforts have their roots in the Great and Powerful God, so human rights should be no different.  The value of human life is not relegated to laws or civil rights, it is manifested in Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice His life to overcome sin and provide salvation.  Where do human rights begin?  Maybe it is best summed up by this simple thought, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”.   (John 3:16)
Are we looking for unity?  Are we looking for humanity?  Are we looking in the Bible?
          Think About It!

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