I may live in an academic bubble, but it’s hard to miss the anger, hatred, and misunderstanding plaguing us as people.

Unfortunately this isn’t new. As long as there has been communication, there has been misunderstanding. Anger isn’t new. Hatred isn’t new. There’s really nothing new under the sun.

I came across this verse this morning (I originally read the french translation because I try to use my second language when possible), and it took my breath away. I was captured by the scenery in the background, but the words were what stopped me in my tracks.

Faith that can pick up a mountain and move it to a new location. A mountain. Not a hill. A mountain! And yet if I don’t have love, to give to others, I am nothing.

I am nothing.

To think that without love, to give away without expectation of return, I am nothing. To think that everything I have done means nothing if I don’t have love. This truly puts things into perspective.

“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.” Luke‬ ‭6:31-34‬ ‭MSG‬‬ (emphasis added)

Those verses, really challenge the way I interact with the world around me. Do I take the easy route when I invest in others, or do I make an intentional effort to do something expecting nothing in return.

Not surprisingly as I was thinking about these verses, I was listening to some new music by Carrollton. The song was called Stand My Ground. The course repeats “it’s not too late all of this hate will start to change and turn around when love is where I choose to stand my ground.”

My challenge to you is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31). Get together with someone who is different from you. Have a conversation. Listen to them. Learn from their perspective. See the world through their eyes. Then love them where they are.

Share your experiences below 🙂

Dare to be different,
Christyna