From the beginning of time there has been different races, genders and social classes. Is one better than another? Should one get more respect than another? How do you bridge a gap that has been created? You fill the gap with His love. The bible tells us that He loves us unconditionally. 1 John 4:16, says this about love; So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. It’s putting down our hangups, fear and hate. There is a general society separation, a line in the sand, in this world God created for ALL because He loves us – there is an us and a them.
Sadly my news stream has been filled with hatred lately. When you click that share or comment button and your words and actions aren’t based on love, you are just as guilty as someone who holds a gun to someone’s head. That’s a tough one to swallow. I think we need to keep James 2:10 in mind – For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. Yes, we are guilty of ALL of it when we sin. It is people who try to decide which sin is worse than another, but it is clear, the law is the law, that tiny white lie – murder – turning your back on your neighbor – rape – posting nasty things on Facebook (hatred) – robbery….ALL equal in God’s eyes. I am guilty of it all. Most likely could have been stoned in the street at some point in time. But it’s in His redemptive love that we are saved. My 4 year old niece hung her head and said, “Aunt, I took this from the boys’ room.” She knew she took something without asking, she was regretful (a little too much for her actions) but she came to me humbly – when we come to Him humbly, He forgives us, do we have the courage to truly come humbly before Him?
So how do we bridge the gap? How do we overcome all this? Do we take a stand on one side or the other and not budge, and judge the other? Or do we reach out of our comfort zone and face our fears – because it’s about fear isn’t it? I must admit that I often feel alone in wanting to truly bridge this gap. I guess God gave me a heart to try. I don’t know why He laid it on my heart, but I know I have never felt more compelled to do something in my life than to let others know they are of value. Showing me how people love Him. Showing me how to bridge the gap. Showing me how to teach my kids how to share His love with all people. These people are the people of our communities. Do you think your community ends at your township, borough or city line? Because I believe our communities span much further than that. Because all people in all communities are hurting. Not just lower income, minority or center city people -ALL people. That is why our family is being diligent about spreading His love in all communities…near and far.
As we step out of the car to do one of our ‘random’ acts of kindness missions, our youngest is a little shy. This is out of his comfort zone, this isn’t common for him, this place isn’t somewhere he knows. We get looks… questioning looks, we approach a couple on a bench and ask if their kids can have a Popsicle, they say “yes”. Then those kids spread the word to their friends, and we can’t cut the ends off of them fast enough, and it’s so hot and they are melting, and dads’ are asking “how much” and we say “free” and teenagers are asking for one for a friend and then I look for our youngest, and he went running into the sprinkler section of this park to make a delivery, and he’s smiling….there was a bridge built under that hot sun…in that strange place…in the fear. And on the way home, they comment on the kids impeccable manners , their true thankfulness, their smiles. (to see more about this day click here – Random Act of Kindness)
So if the only thing I accomplish in life is raising the little kingdom of children He blessed me with, to love God, love His communities near and far and be focused on the needs of others – then I will feel as though I have accomplished His plan for me. I urge you to go…do…and be on His behalf. Be a part of the change we all so desperately want to see.
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