SENTINEL WATCH February 14, 2005 Issue

EVERYONE COULD USE SOME BLESSING

EVAN MEHLENBACHER

I WALKED BY A BUMPER STICKER ON A CAR THAT read "God bless America." In my mind I immediately revised the words to "God bless the world." With the continuing war in Iraq, tsunami devasting in South Asia, famine and AIDS in Africa, and much more, there are people everywhere who could use some blessing these days.

On this planet of multiethnic groups, varied religious bodies, geographical and political territories, and nations, an "us and them" attitude frequently develops. People more readily identify with the familiar, and are likely to rally behind the priorities and goals of their own nation or culture. My daily study of the Bible, however, convinces me that we can help dissolve "us and them" stances by seeing ourselves as members of the larger family called humanity, and find that there is enough of God's blessing to go around.

I've always been wary of the prayer that seeks blessing for a select group of people—such as a football team that prays for heavenly blessing to beat the opposition. Is God's favor selective? I used to wonder. Does God take sides?