Love Everyone, Always.
The brilliant man named Bob Goff writes "We'll know we're growing when our love for people dwarfs our opinions about them."
How good are we, really, about loving people? It should be one of the most fundamental, necessary parts of our faith, the second greatest commandment, after loving Jesus. (Mark 12:28-30)
Anyone can love their friends. Really, anyone. As great as that is, and how sweet a good, solid friendship can be, is there honestly anything in that relationship that needs applause? It's a given that we love our friends. That's why they're our friends! In Mark, though, Jesus doesn't say to love Him, then our friends. He said to love Him and then our neighbors! And to love them the same way we love ourselves.
It's a thing that takes work, sacrifice. It means loving and accepting people, people that "normal" people, not Christ-pursuers, would try to avoid, or not want to hang out with. Another Bob Goff quote for you: "We shouldn't say everyone's invited if we're going to act like they're not welcome when they come. Love everyone, always."
Now, I'm not Bob, so I can't interpret every word of this quote, being entirely positive that this is what it means. But I can tell you what that word, "everyone", does not exclude.
It doesn't exclude them if they're awkward.
It doesn't exclude them if they're weird.
It doesn't exclude them if they're unnaturally annoying.
It doesn't exclude them if they have an unusual sense of humor.
It doesn't exclude them if they aren't really the most attractive person in the room.
It doesn't exclude them if they have a shady past.
It doesn't exclude them if they don't share your faith and/or values.
It doesn't even exclude them if they don't really fit in with that certain Christian clique. You know the one I mean.
Do we have a smidgen of an understanding of what everyone means now? It might actually mean everyone!
I know the world is huge, and people are complicated. Everyone is different and unique and it might seem impossible to try and get along with every personality type that walks past you. That could be true, and the reason why Jesus doesn't command us to "get along" with our neighbors. He made us all so different, and He is utterly aware of that. He crafted every single personality to be what it is because that's how He wanted that person to be! Weird people, awkward people, they are all over. Heck, I'm one of them. God didn't make those personalities and go "Oh, oops, that's an awkward one. Hope she turns out okay! Hope she's able to make friends, being awkward as she is!" No! Our differences are such amazing gifts! Everyone looks at the world a little bit differently, and it is incredible! What is not incredible is when select groups think there are only a few ways to see the world, to understand, to talk, to joke, to laugh. I just want to call y'all out. Accept people! Even if they aren't the kinds you enjoy hanging out with 24/7. Even if they're weird and awkward and you don't really like their unusual sense of humor. Accept, because God did you!
Also, love. It doesn't mean "like." If Jesus' feelings for us stopped at "like," we'd pretty much all be sunk. He loves us, and not like we love pizza or books or even fresh sheets. It's a passionate, unconditional, head-over-heals kind of love, and He gives it for free. And even though He knows we will stumble and fall and fail again and again, this is the kind of love He asks us to pass on to others. This kind of love is not something that needs to be earned. This kind of love despises gossip and rude talk about another. This kind of love is not based on the cool-factor. Are we able and willing to dish out this love? It's already inside of us, placed their strategically by the Holy Spirit, that through us we can reach those who haven't yet experienced it. The sense of honor should be overflowing us by now. What a beautiful mission we've been equipped to carry out!
What a beautiful journey lies ahead of us, to be couriers for the greatest gift that was ever given!
I don't want to guilt-trip anyone, honestly, I don't. Being the peacemaker I am, I honestly would just love for everyone to be kind. I know that's not always possible, because Satan is real and we are human and the temptations to gossip and criticize lurk around every corner. I just want to put this in peoples hearts and minds. Everyone is different. Everyone is made by God, exactly the way HE wants them to be, quirks and all, and He designed them for a purpose. Maybe they don't know it yet. Maybe they're still trying so hard to fit in and be accepted that their God-given purpose is hidden under all the yearning to be loved. That's where God comes in, bringing us along for the ride.
Bottom line: Love everyone, always.
How good are we, really, about loving people? It should be one of the most fundamental, necessary parts of our faith, the second greatest commandment, after loving Jesus. (Mark 12:28-30)
Anyone can love their friends. Really, anyone. As great as that is, and how sweet a good, solid friendship can be, is there honestly anything in that relationship that needs applause? It's a given that we love our friends. That's why they're our friends! In Mark, though, Jesus doesn't say to love Him, then our friends. He said to love Him and then our neighbors! And to love them the same way we love ourselves.
It's a thing that takes work, sacrifice. It means loving and accepting people, people that "normal" people, not Christ-pursuers, would try to avoid, or not want to hang out with. Another Bob Goff quote for you: "We shouldn't say everyone's invited if we're going to act like they're not welcome when they come. Love everyone, always."
Now, I'm not Bob, so I can't interpret every word of this quote, being entirely positive that this is what it means. But I can tell you what that word, "everyone", does not exclude.
It doesn't exclude them if they're awkward.
It doesn't exclude them if they're weird.
It doesn't exclude them if they're unnaturally annoying.
It doesn't exclude them if they have an unusual sense of humor.
It doesn't exclude them if they aren't really the most attractive person in the room.
It doesn't exclude them if they have a shady past.
It doesn't exclude them if they don't share your faith and/or values.
It doesn't even exclude them if they don't really fit in with that certain Christian clique. You know the one I mean.
Do we have a smidgen of an understanding of what everyone means now? It might actually mean everyone!
I know the world is huge, and people are complicated. Everyone is different and unique and it might seem impossible to try and get along with every personality type that walks past you. That could be true, and the reason why Jesus doesn't command us to "get along" with our neighbors. He made us all so different, and He is utterly aware of that. He crafted every single personality to be what it is because that's how He wanted that person to be! Weird people, awkward people, they are all over. Heck, I'm one of them. God didn't make those personalities and go "Oh, oops, that's an awkward one. Hope she turns out okay! Hope she's able to make friends, being awkward as she is!" No! Our differences are such amazing gifts! Everyone looks at the world a little bit differently, and it is incredible! What is not incredible is when select groups think there are only a few ways to see the world, to understand, to talk, to joke, to laugh. I just want to call y'all out. Accept people! Even if they aren't the kinds you enjoy hanging out with 24/7. Even if they're weird and awkward and you don't really like their unusual sense of humor. Accept, because God did you!
Also, love. It doesn't mean "like." If Jesus' feelings for us stopped at "like," we'd pretty much all be sunk. He loves us, and not like we love pizza or books or even fresh sheets. It's a passionate, unconditional, head-over-heals kind of love, and He gives it for free. And even though He knows we will stumble and fall and fail again and again, this is the kind of love He asks us to pass on to others. This kind of love is not something that needs to be earned. This kind of love despises gossip and rude talk about another. This kind of love is not based on the cool-factor. Are we able and willing to dish out this love? It's already inside of us, placed their strategically by the Holy Spirit, that through us we can reach those who haven't yet experienced it. The sense of honor should be overflowing us by now. What a beautiful mission we've been equipped to carry out!
What a beautiful journey lies ahead of us, to be couriers for the greatest gift that was ever given!
I don't want to guilt-trip anyone, honestly, I don't. Being the peacemaker I am, I honestly would just love for everyone to be kind. I know that's not always possible, because Satan is real and we are human and the temptations to gossip and criticize lurk around every corner. I just want to put this in peoples hearts and minds. Everyone is different. Everyone is made by God, exactly the way HE wants them to be, quirks and all, and He designed them for a purpose. Maybe they don't know it yet. Maybe they're still trying so hard to fit in and be accepted that their God-given purpose is hidden under all the yearning to be loved. That's where God comes in, bringing us along for the ride.
Bottom line: Love everyone, always.
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