Anyone who knows me, knows that my “motto” through high school used to be “love doesn’t exist”. Looking back, that concept seems ridiculous. I knew what love was, and I knew it existed, but for me, sharing “love” with those outside my immediate family didn’t feel right.
Throughout my childhood, I saw people who had declared their love for each other, turn around and hurt each other. I wanted no part of that; no part of love being destroyed by a simple break-up while in school, or even later, by divorce or worse. Don’t misunderstand me. I still showed compassion towards others; I just shied away from ever saying the “L word”.
Now that I’ve grown in my relationship with Christ, I am happy to say I fear that word a lot less.
I’ve learned it is our job, as Christians, to love others unconditionally, regardless of whether or not we find them “worthy”. God says we are all worthy in His eyes.
Preparing for this mission trip has shown me that not everyone looks at love the way Christ does (I was among those once, and I’ll admit that sometimes, still, I forget to love like Jesus). Some have told me to stay home and go to college; to focus on myself and my future. Now that God has opened my eyes to the true meaning of love, He is also calling on me to share it. This mission trip will allow me to take what I’ve learned to other lands, to teach the concept and show it.
