Last night I watched Selma. It’s hard to believe our country was ever like that. But I remember when I was a young kid of 17 or 18. In the summers I drove an 18-wheeler cross country to help pay for school. On the really long trips there would be two drivers, and usually I would be paired with Wash. Wash was a 250-pound black man with a heart of gold. I remember having to go into a diner and bring food back to the cab for Wash to eat. I felt so sorry for Wash because he knew he couldn’t go in.

It was the late 50s and Selma hadn’t happened yet. My high school had just integrated. Well, I should say the school allowed one black kid to attend along with the other 2,000 students. Some integration. But it was a start. We have come a long way, but I still experience moments of sheer disgust when I hear the “N” word.

So why am I rambling like this? I’ll tell you why – because too many church members act just as stupid in their treatment of other church members. Some of the meanest snakes I’ve ever encountered have been in churches. It shouldn’t be that way, just as people shouldn’t use the “N” word.

Why is it that history is filled with uncaring people? Why is it that someone always seems to have to be at the bottom of the pecking order? For that matter, why is there a pecking order in the first place?

No wonder Jesus died. He wanted us to treat each other as we would want to be treated.

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Men’s inhumanity to other men is hard to figure. Hard to figure if we forget one basic law of life – all humans are shot full of despicable sin. No wonder Jesus died. He wanted us to treat each other as we would want to be treated.

So the next time you are tempted to shoot the bird at someone who cut you off in traffic or snap at the solicitor on the other end of the line or complain to a cashier for working too slow, remember Selma. Remember what Jesus did for you. And maybe we’ll make it a better world. Jesus said, “I come that you might have life and life abundant.” Let’s all try to live that abundant life even when we don’t feel like doing so, even with people we don’t like.

Question: How have you seen others live this abundant life that Jesus offers? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.