What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love!

I've been watching a sermon series about relationships recently. Relationships, in general, not just centered around marriages. Today, I was convicted. There's been so much negativity and hate in my social media newsfeed for a wide variety of reasons, that it's overwhelmed me and made me go silent. Until today. My God reminded me that He's called me to LOVE others, to SERVE others, to speak LIFE into others...and that by being silent, I'm not doing ANY of that...and in reality, being disobedient to Him! Today, I stop that.

I've watched in horror at the hate being spewed all over my social media accounts and it has caused a physical response in me. One that is just painful. Let's take the presidential election as an example (which, by the way, is simply one of many that I could use). No, I'm NOT engaging in a political debate because I have my beliefs and opinions and I will respect the fact that you do as well. They may or may not differ from mine. The reason I don't engage in political conversation is simply because I'm not going to judge you or our relationship based on your political views, nor do I want you to do that to me. I have seen many friendships and relationships torn apart because of this election this year, some even lifelong, and it's been heartbreaking to see. To me, who I vote for is a private matter, and I believe it should stay that way. Otherwise, wouldn't they make voting booths public so everyone can see??

We are people, individuals, and are more than just a political statement or party or group we affiliate ourselves with. We don't even have to agree on the same God for me to love and respect you as a human being. That's basic human decency. I am a Christian, yes, and I speak from that perspective, because it's a huge part of me, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to persuade you to believe any differently. That's not my lane. If you choose to, that's a whole other post. I do believe that God created each of us in His image, and if God is Love (as it is stated several times in the Holy Bible), then shouldn't we at least try to be better examples of that?? Honestly, I think we, as a people, need to do more about rising above the hate and anger, having more compassion for one another, and begin loving more, in an effort to be united. Hate and anger only cause more divide...yet, it's the easiest to give in to.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that we all hold hands and join in a chorus of Kum Ba Yah because that would be unrealistic. We all have our differences, and sometimes those differences make it difficult to maintain relationships. We change. We grow. And sometimes we grow apart. But that doesn't mean we have to be hateful to one another because of it. Go your separate ways if you need to, but wish each other well instead of cursing one another.

Let's stop the judgment, the name-calling, the labeling...and instead let's practice kindness, affirmation, and encouragement. Every person has redeeming qualities and every person has flaws. So where is your focus?? If you focus only on the flaws and imperfections, you are missing the blessing that person could be in your life. But if you spend time building someone up, encouraging them, focusing on their redeeming qualities imagine the difference you could make to that person...and then, imagine the change you will see in yourself.