I have had multiple people ask for my opinion on the same-sex marriage debate that has currently become an uproar due to its legalization in all 50 states. My answer has remained, and will remain the same: my opinion is invalid and, honestly, so is yours.

As most people here in the South, I was raised in a Christian home with strong religious background. We attended church every Sunday, prayed before our meals, had Bible study together, and were your typical Southern Baptist family. Through my time spent in the church, spent in prayer, and spent with my family I have learned multiple life lessons. Lessons about life, love, religion, sin, forgiveness, etc. So what is the greatest lesson that I have learned growing up as a Christian and follower of Christ? Do not judge.

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29.

I have seen some very hurtful things on all of my social media. today. Eventually, it got to where I just took myself off and isolated myself for a while. I took this time to truly evaluate what was happening and then it hit me - everything was becoming chaos. People I had known for years were turning on each other, throwing Bible verses in each other's faces. I am no Biblical expert, nor do I claim to be a saint. I am perfectly imperfect and embrace the way God has made me, but I at least can admit that I have taken the time to take a step back and view this situation in its entirety before stepping up to face social media.

My ultimate goal in this life is to serve Christ in every aspect possible via the means he has provided to me. I cannot serve him by doing his job and judging others. Today, as I prayed about the best way to handle this situation without getting involved in this heated debate, God showed me the answer: The Odyssey. I was hired to write for The Odyssey a few weeks ago, and up until now, my most recent articles have been non-controversial, and very easy to write about without knowledge of creating conflict.

I knew as I prayed that God was laying a task before me, and now I am forwarding the challenge to you. Maybe you support gay marriage, maybe you do not. As I go forth with my challenge and write this article I am hoping to open the eyes of everyone I have seen today speaking with malice and hatred. It is not our job to judge, it is our job to love our neighbor, regardless.

My opinion on the legalization of gay marriage is invalid because what good does that opinion do? What does my opinion change, and who does it affect? No one. My decision is to be a friend, a Christian, and have an open heart, however, could possibly change or even save a life.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12.