I heard a pastor say recently, "orphans don't want to come home to a family that is continually arguing."
I read from another speaker recently, "the world needs less sheriffs and more people to just love."
These things seem to be on repeat in my head as I log onto social media these days. Every day it's something new. Yesterday it was vaccinations, today it's the target bathroom issue, tomorrow it will be gay marriage or the red starbucks cup or gun control.
There will always be something to argue about. But at what cost?
We say it's in the name of refusing to become tolerant.
We say it's in the name of choosing to stand for truth.
We say it's in the name of "safety."
But in the midst of these things, I'm afraid that we're becoming rude.
I'm afraid that we're pushing away the very same people that desperately need our grace and our love. Our unconditional love.
Because the truth is this (since we're so hell bent on standing for it, I figured I'd join in):
The God I know loves me.
He loves you.
He loves the rapist.
He loves the delinquent teenager.
He loves the alcoholic.
He loves the vaccinators and the non-vaccinators.
He loves the carnivores and the vegans.
He loves the disturbed and the healthy minded.
He loves the prostitute and the cheating husband.
He loves Beyonce.
He loves Paris Hilton.
He loves Hillary Clinton.
Yep. It's true.
Is God's heart deeply saddened and grieved by any and all behavior that goes against His commandments, His heart, His truth? Of course He is.
And so am I.
But I can promise you something. He still loves us. Even though that doesn't make any sort of logical sense. He does.
He still loves me, in spite of my selfishness.
He still loves you, in spite of that argument you had with your sister the other day.
He still loves the rapist, in spite of the cruel act.
He still loves the delinquent teenager, in spite of the choice to disengage.
He still loves the alcoholic, in spite of the body being destroyed.
He still loves the vaccinators and the non-vaccinators, because He knows moms and dads are just doing the best they can with the information they have.
He still loves the carnivores and vegans, because I just don't think He really cares whether you don't eat meat. He doesn't mind either way.
He still loves the disturbed and the healthy minded, because both of them are broken.
He still loves the prostitute and the cheating husband, though both are choosing something directly against His design.
He still loves Beyonce.
He still loves Paris Hilton.
He still loves Hillary Clinton.
So I will do my best to do the same. It's hard. Especially when we blatantly disagree with the actions, thoughts, or opinions that are attached to the person with eyes, ears, a mouth, a heart and a soul.
But I'm not going to give up on the soul. I can't give up on the soul.
Because He didn't give up on mine.
I'm not tolerant of sin. I just don't expect people who don't know Jesus to operate from the same heart and mind that I do.
I will choose to stand for truth. I simply will not be rude or ignorant in the process.
I will protect myself and the ones I love. Nothing about any sort of controversy changes that fact.
Here's the deal. We've heard it before. Darkness cannot exist in the midst of light. But if all we're attacking darkness with is more darkness (namely: arguing, belittling, etc.), we don't stand a chance.
So I will do the research and educate myself, so I can then face darkness with fierce love, firm convictions, and a smile. Because kindness is disarming.
and because I want orphans to come home.
