There are some truths that seem so obvious it's hard to imagine why they must be stated.
I plopped down in 24D, my seat on a flight home after the holidays. My eyes shifted to the sign that hung on my tray table, "Fasten Seat Belt While Seated." I couldn’t believe the sign: Why wouldn't I fasten my seat belt while I was seated?
My mother calls me a 'Black and White' person: a person who sees a truth as right or wrong. I tend to look at most things through that lens. She often reminds me, however, that not everyone is like me. There are 'Gray' people: people who see truth as a less defined line. I assume she would look at the "Fasten Seat Belt While Seated" sign a little bit differently.
There are some truths I thought would always be accepted by followers of Christ. In the past several months, however, those truths have been questioned, stomped on and broken by the followers of Christ who surround me. It's been painful to watch my church and my family split over issues I never thought would be doubted.
The holidays were a tough time for my faith. I have been able to handle the attacks on these truths until they reached my lips of loved ones. In the past several days, I have found myself shying away from the throne room of Christ because I, too, began to question what I have held so dear. If I accepted that my faith was out of line, then my entire journey with Christ would have been false. Still, I reevaluated.
I have come to this conclusion: Christ is my Lord and Savior. What He has taught me is not up for grabs–for anyone, including myself. He has led me to this place to teach me very specific things. But, I have traveled with judgment for far too long.
Christ does call us to love those we do not agree with. He calls us to pursue them–not to change their minds, but to love as He has loved. My words and thoughts against those people have been harmful to them, to me and to my God. They have prevented relationships and growth. I am absolutely guilty.
I also know He has taught me unchangeable truths. I cannot budge on what He has revealed. But, I can budge on how I love those who stand in opposition.
I do not claim to know the Word of God in its entirety. I do not claim to know my God fully. He is incomprehensible. This much He has taught me. But, He is my Lord. He has revealed Himself to me through His Holy Spirit and His Holy Word. I must love Him first, and then take that love He has given me into this world.
My prayer is this: May we be men and women who love our God. May we search diligently in His Word to discover more of who our God is. But, then, may we take His love to our world. For, Jesus said, “Others will know you by your love.” –John 13:35
