GOOD THINKING: ALL OF US ARE HELD HOSTAGE BY SOMETHING

I read the headlines, "Hostages Taken." Three terrorists had sky-jacked a plane and were holding the passengers and crew hostage. Officials negotiated for their release. Many prayed for their safety. An old word had taken on new meaning for us as we agonized for the freedom of the hostages.

Hostage! We are all hostages, prisoners, sinners. None of us are free. We are surrounded by walls and fences and bars. People have built walls to keep us out, to keep us in our place, or to keep us away. We, ourselves, have built fences to bar others from entering our lives, our space. The fact is, we are all held hostage.

Hostage! We are held hostage by our attitudes. I'm jealous of the person who is better than I. Jealousy is a bar between us. My jealousy keeps us apart; we can never be close.

I'm prejudiced against people who are different from me. Prejudice is a wall between us. We are both losers! My life cannot be enriched by his differences; his life cannot benefit from my views. Prejudice holds us hostage.

I am bitter because someone has hurt me. Hatred and anger are like a high fence keeping us apart. Hatred prevents me from forgiving my "enemy." Anger keeps me from caring about him or loving him. I'm held hostage by my attitudes!

Hostage! We are held captive by our actions. I tend to be a very selfish person. I want everything for myself; I don't choose to share what I have.

I am also a person who hurts other people. Sometimes I hurt others intentionally; sometimes I hurt others without meaning to. The results are the same!

Whenever I build a fence or a wall, for whatever reason, I break those human ties between myself and another person. At the same time, I break those divine ties to God. I am held hostage by my own attitudes and actions! How am I to be free?

Easter is a time to hear the "Good News" from God! God sent his own Son into the middle of our hostile situation. The Son has negotiated our release. We are now free from all the attitudes and actions that once held us hostage! We are free to live the kind of life God meant us to have, a life without walls or bars or fences.

Easter is a time to thank God for the release of all hostages (sinners)! Easter is a time to rejoice in our freedom; for God has given us another chance at life!

Dr. Don Kuehle

United Methodist, Retired

Jackson, Missouri