We Love Because He First Loved Us
My neighbor and I are polar opposites~ at least on paper.
She is an atheist, and I am a devout Christian. She is a New York liberal, and I am a So. Cal conservative. She has numerous political signs in her front yard, and we have American & Marine flags in ours. She takes part in the Women's March with pink hatted peeps, and I fly to DC to trek with a Pro-Life crew.
Current culture would dictate that we could not possibly be friends & yet we are…how? Canceling people from our lives who do not see the world through our lens does nothing to build our communities.
Blessedly, my neighbor is like-minded because star crossed friendships are in grave danger of extinction. The recognition feels a bit devastating because it extinguishes the possibility of connection and relationship with large portions of our communities.
Could we instead recognize others as beings who were created in His image? Could we use this standard as the basis for loving one another instead of determining each other’s worth based on their individual political stance? The world will tell us that the person on paper is the summary.
We know better.
Let us reject the world's assessment and SEE and BE more than that paper person. Hyper-focusing on what divides us will not lead us toward loving our neighbors. Many of our citizens have arrived at a very different conclusion as to the way forward. Recognition and attempts at understanding can lead to revelation through our own witness.
A neighbor's journey cannot prevent us from acknowledging their aim toward a better world. If we vilify, it will only close our hearts & our homes to them. Let us instead do our best to embrace the common ground. Let us relish the kind friend who notices when we are overwhelmed and asks how to help. Let us be grateful for the thoughtful neighbor who brings over extra garden bounty because kids eat everything & Lord knows they need more vegetables. Let us notice the children they are raising & how they also seek ways to better our planet. From there, from that place, we can recognize His image, and we can love.
I am certain that my neighbor and I cast very different ballots in the election last week, but I am equally confident that God, in His wisdom, has given us both the potential to shine His light into this world. With that on my mind and heart this week, I baked, and I sent a plate next door just as we often do- because election results will come and go but loving our neighbor? Well, that's a forever kind of thing.
🇺🇸 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
Written By: Kathleen Massey
Faithtree Content Writer