I am powerful
I don't know how you react to that statement, but it applies to each and every one of us. A few months back I had an experience where I had to do something I knew was the right thing, but it meant hurting someone I deeply care for. It sucked. However, I had a moment where I had to swallow the truth that it indeed was my fault that this person that I care about was hurting. Taking steps to follow God is often not easy. It also meant denying myself a relationship with that person and believing God to fill the void.
We have the power to directly influence people's lives for good or bad. I often would like to think that I don't frequently hurt others. I am the type of person that would rather take on all the pain so that others don't have to experience it, but this situation basically slapped me in the face with the reality that I am indeed part of the system of hurt. It is ironic in a way; I can remember when said person and I first started hanging out and we talked a lot about how relationships, all types, always end in pain, but experiencing love and connection with others makes it worth it. I found myself eating my words not long ago in that very relationship. There were times when I said to myself, "It wasn't worth it," because I hated, and still hate, the fact that I was the cause of so much pain. However, today sitting here on a sunny deck, with the sound of a gentle waterfall, birds chirping, and the lake in the distance, I can say without a doubt that it was all worth it. I think of this person daily, fondly and wonder how they are, what is new and exciting, and sometimes find myself wanting to share life with them.
We live in a somewhat polar world. Many things in life have the power for immense beauty and good, or extreme suffering and pain. Look at things like social media, political campaigns, technology and the access to information...the list goes on. Each one has such potential. I am not one for social media (says the girl blogging...) but I am also so grateful for the ability to stay connected with friends all over the world. On the other hand we see news reports on celebrity Twitter fights and may have even seen nasty comments on Facebook ourselves. Political campaigns are notorious for mud slinging and hateful words, but what if that changed? What if politicians focussed on the great opportunity they have for good, rather than digging up dirt on the opponent?
I tend to be a dreamer so I could go on for hours about how different of a place the world could be, but reality reminds us that it is not. The world is broken, and as much as we like to point fingers, we must first look in the mirror and tell our selves the truth: it is our fault too. Politicians are not the only ones that lie, murderers are not the only ones that kill. We all say hateful words, ruin relationships, fail to follow through on promises, and generally disrupt peace. That is why we need the saving grace of Jesus. We can do nothing good without him. Only because he has first filled me with his love am I able to see another person and decide to love them while expecting nothing in return.
About a month ago now I was helping one of my kids at the center finish his lunch. He really wanted to play and so he was shoveling the food and water in as fast as he could. About four seconds after swallowing the last bite he turned and threw it all up on the floor. Vomit is disgusting. Six year olds are not good at cleaning. In that moment my human nature wanted to yell and punish him, but Christ's love won over my nature and enabled me to love him through that moment. I made sure he was ok, gave him a drink of water and sent him to brush his teeth while I got the mop. This may not seem extraordinary, but without Jesus' love, I don't think I would have had the power to view him with eyes of love in that moment.
How will you view others in all the little moments? Will you choose love, or will you choose yourself? Each day we must realize our potential to influence others for good, but also for the worst.
Jesus teaches us not just to love our neighbors, but to love our enemies. It's easy to love those that are kind to you and help you, but when there is no apparent pay off, will you choose love?
Standing in awe of our potential,
Sigourney
We live in a somewhat polar world. Many things in life have the power for immense beauty and good, or extreme suffering and pain. Look at things like social media, political campaigns, technology and the access to information...the list goes on. Each one has such potential. I am not one for social media (says the girl blogging...) but I am also so grateful for the ability to stay connected with friends all over the world. On the other hand we see news reports on celebrity Twitter fights and may have even seen nasty comments on Facebook ourselves. Political campaigns are notorious for mud slinging and hateful words, but what if that changed? What if politicians focussed on the great opportunity they have for good, rather than digging up dirt on the opponent?
I tend to be a dreamer so I could go on for hours about how different of a place the world could be, but reality reminds us that it is not. The world is broken, and as much as we like to point fingers, we must first look in the mirror and tell our selves the truth: it is our fault too. Politicians are not the only ones that lie, murderers are not the only ones that kill. We all say hateful words, ruin relationships, fail to follow through on promises, and generally disrupt peace. That is why we need the saving grace of Jesus. We can do nothing good without him. Only because he has first filled me with his love am I able to see another person and decide to love them while expecting nothing in return.
About a month ago now I was helping one of my kids at the center finish his lunch. He really wanted to play and so he was shoveling the food and water in as fast as he could. About four seconds after swallowing the last bite he turned and threw it all up on the floor. Vomit is disgusting. Six year olds are not good at cleaning. In that moment my human nature wanted to yell and punish him, but Christ's love won over my nature and enabled me to love him through that moment. I made sure he was ok, gave him a drink of water and sent him to brush his teeth while I got the mop. This may not seem extraordinary, but without Jesus' love, I don't think I would have had the power to view him with eyes of love in that moment.
How will you view others in all the little moments? Will you choose love, or will you choose yourself? Each day we must realize our potential to influence others for good, but also for the worst.
Jesus teaches us not just to love our neighbors, but to love our enemies. It's easy to love those that are kind to you and help you, but when there is no apparent pay off, will you choose love?
Standing in awe of our potential,
Sigourney
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