We’re living in turbulent times. Tough times. Divisive times. The kind of circumstances that can lead to anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. And in the midst of this turmoil, instead of coming together to support each other, we’ve been forced apart by a global pandemic that is unseen by the human eye, but has managed to wreak havoc in our world in very real ways.
Add to the pressure of the pandemic the reality of racism in our country, highlighted by recent events including the death of George Floyd, and the polarizing effect of politics in our nation, and there are a lot of hurting people in America.
Hurting people sometimes hurt other people, who in turn lash out themselves...and so the cycle of heartbreak continues.
“LOVE” appears 310 times in the King James Version of the Bible.
“We love because he first loved us.”
—1 John 4:19
“JUDGE” appears 191 times in the same book...and not as a suggestion.
“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save
and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
—James 4:12
When emotions run high, we long to be heard amidst the noise.
We want the pain of our personal experience to be seen.
We want to be known — to matter in this world.
What if, instead of judging our neighbors, we loved them? Truly loved them—the way God loves each of us?
God’s Word doesn’t instruct us to win arguments, to shout the loudest, or to put others in their place. He asks us to love one another, as we seek to know Him.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
—1 John 4:7-8
Heavenly Father, help us to know you better, by loving others better. Calm anxious hearts and minds, and bring peace to our nation. Remind us continually to speak and respond with love, even when we don’t agree. Make us worthy messengers of your Good News. Amen.
Do you want to share a message of God’s love with the world?
