A Legacy of Acceptance

<p>In his book <em>Breaking Down Walls,</em> Glen Kehrein writes about climbing to the roof of his college dorm in Chicago after the assassination of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968. &ldquo;The sound of gunfire bounced eerily back and forth off the large buildings, and soon my rooftop perch provided a near panoramic, yet horrific, view. . . . How in the world did I get from a Wisconsin cornfield to a war zone in the inner city of Chicago in less than two years?&rdquo; Compelled by his love for Jesus and people whose backgrounds were different from his, Glen lived on Chicago&rsquo;s West Side and led a ministry there that provided food, clothing, shelter, and other services until his death in 2011.</p> <p>Glen&rsquo;s life mirrors the efforts of followers of Christ who&rsquo;ve come to grips with the need to embrace those who are different from themselves. Paul&rsquo;s teaching and example helped Roman believers see that God&rsquo;s plan to rescue wayward humanity included Jews and gentiles (Romans 15:8&ndash;12). Believers in Jesus are called to follow His example of acceptance of others (v. 7); prejudice and discord have no place among those called to glorify God with &ldquo;one mind and one voice&rdquo; (v. 6). Ask God to help you cross barriers and break down walls and to warmly embrace everyone, regardless of their differences. Let&rsquo;s strive to leave behind a legacy of acceptance.</p>