If there is one word that describes this week, it's exhausting. Despite the elections, the events that have followed it have not been what America was expecting. It seems as if at least once a day since the election of Trump, there has been a report of several horrific events from around the country. People are being beaten. They are being called derogatory names. People are fearing for their lives. It seems as if a certain part of the media has been transported back into a more complicated time. A time where we were separated by the color of our skin and a time where people where afraid to be themselves. We have seen regression over the past few days instead of progression.
Thankfully, God has called us to forgive and love our enemies. Matthew 5:43-48 says “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’" I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. "Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you" (MSG). The rain is going to fall on everyone because we are all equal. God does not think that people are unworthy of love just by the color of the skin or who they love. So we shouldn't be picky about who we deem worthy. Everyone is equal.
It doesn't matter who we voted for, this is what we were called to do and that is what I will be choosing to do. Loving everyone. Regardless of what they have done to people, their gender, the color of the skin, whom they love. We are all equal under God.
