Last week I participated in an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Diversity Workshop at school. I found all of the activities incredibly deep, especially because they were run by other students. I learned that our Communication Arts Program is much more diverse in ways of thinking than I would have ever guessed. This experience was very eye-opening, and it also challenged a lot of my preconceived notions of different people. However, I realized how much I can easily offend people by making a simple joke. This brought me back to James 1:19 (ESV):
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
Many of my classmates opened up about experiences that happened 5+ years ago that still taunt them. I didn't realize until the workshop that I dwell on many of my my past experiences as well. This reminded me of another Bible verse; Isaiah 43:18 (NIV):
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."
Because...
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).
This experience also challenged me to "'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation'" (Mark 16:15). I have not been doing this at school, and the Diversity Workshop reminded me that I should not be afraid or ashamed of my beliefs.
**Stay tuned for my media group's documentary about MBHS's Pacemaker-winning student newspaper Silver Chips!**
