So many thoughts rattle in my head. Anyone else have this problem?! Why is there so much divisiveness and bitterness in the world today? It seems to only be getting worse. Why is it assumed by many that if someone doesn’t agree with their viewpoint on something, whether it’s related to politics, sanctity of life, race, gender issues, BLM, religion or any other major topic in the world today, that the person who disagrees or has a differing point of view/belief is a hater of that particular people group? Instead, why can’t we as a society just say we don’t agree and open up the lines for a civil discussion? My disagreement on an issue doesn’t make me a hater of anyone. It’s simply a differing of beliefs.

It seems to me (as the Mandisa song featuring Toby Mac says) “we all bleed the same” and the Bible teaches we are all loved equally by God. Let us remember we are not loved based on us, but loved because that is who God is. I can only imagine how grieved He must be to see such hate and divisiveness. What if we choose to purposefully find commonalities and build on those things? What if we could have civil discussions based through the lens of love and respect about differences? Wouldn’t that allow us to develop better relationships despite our differences?

I liked a clip I heard recently from Miles McPherson pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego (I have included it at the end of the blog for your own viewing and pondering). I know I can’t control the response of others on these many challenging but vital topics, but I can do my part to respond in a positive and loving way towards others that I don’t see eye to eye with on various topics. I can ask questions to try and understand and value a person’s perspective. Maybe I’ll learn something or see something from an angle that I hadn’t even considered. Maybe through modeling love and respect it will plant seeds in others to do the same, allowing constructive discussions to take place. Imagine a grass roots effort of spreading love and respect starting with you in your sphere of influence!! How cool would that be?!! Sounds like a crazy dream in these crazy times, but one I can wake up to every day and look without regret at myself in the mirror. Each choice we make is an opportunity to spread the light and love of God…..or not….What will you choose?!!! I choose light!!!