Being in college, there are a lot of people who will try and knock you down, kick you when you've fallen, and just flat out not want what's best for you. It's human nature for people to only care for themselves and not for the good of others, which is saddening. But I have found the most joy in continuing to want what is best for them even though it's not being returned.
Freshman year was hard. It was hard trying to figure out who I wanted to be and who I wanted people to think I was. But as I have grown as a woman in college, I have found that I am becoming a woman of the Lord. Which has changed my life, but has also been one of the hardest things to accomplish. We all know those people who talk only about themselves way too much and aren't genuinely happy for others when things go right for them. I don't know about you, but I've had a really hard time with these type of people. The easy way out is to retaliate and hurt people back when they hurt us, but wow, it is so much more fulfilling to love them instead.
Have you ever heard Taylor Swift's song, "Mean?"
"You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation. You have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them. I walk with my head down, try to block you out 'cause I never impress you."
How accurate is this song? She is known for being a rock star with flawless skin and an incredible voice, and yet she still relates to being picked apart by others. Goes to show that no matter how sweet of a peach you are some people just don't like peaches. Seriously people can be so mean, but that is when it makes it so much more rewarding to be one of the few. One of the few that loves unconditionally. One of the few that takes the high road, one of the few that doesn't let things faze them. So fight fire with water instead of fire because the world needs more people who are compelled to be firemen, figuratively.
Jesus did it best. We are called to "love our neighbor as yourself," Mark 12:31. Which seems like it should be pretty easy, but I think sometimes we fail to see the word love, He didn't say like he said love.
The cool thing about Jesus is he experienced what we experience. When he told us to live a certain way, it was coming from a guy who'd been there and done that, as he wears the t-shirt. He lived on earth. He had to deal with people who didn't believe in him and the same kind of people who kick us down today.
However, Jesus knew these two things:
1. Everyone is created in God's image. So if we are worthy of love, so is everyone else because God created every single one of us.
2. Because of sin, we're all really unlovable. But Christ changed the rules by offering love, grace and forgiveness on the cross (Romans 5:8). If God can love us from where we have been and where we will be, surely we can love those around us.
So let's set the example, remind each other these two things and that we didn't deserve Jesus' love, but he loves us anyway. Love each other endlessly despite what they've done to you, and impact their hearts one step at time. So be one of the few people who are genuine, who love so well because you're going to change the world like that.
P.S.- Karma is totally a thing.
Ask Regina George for example.
