Why can’t we all just get along?
Walls of hostility surround and separate us. The evening news flashes images of angry faces in protest, cruelty in the streets, countries at war, and crying children caught in the crossfire. Conflict receives far more airtime than loving kindness ever could. Why is that? Does seeing the worst of the worst in the world make our personal troubles seem less troubling? Have our spirits been bombarded by evil for so long that the good in this world has been buried beneath the rubble?
The sad fact is that lost people act like lost people. They always have and always will. Noah didn’t need the evening news to witness evil. He saw corruption and violence firsthand. (Genesis 6) Abraham didn’t have to search for wickedness. He couldn’t even find ten righteous souls to save Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 18) For us today, the actions of the lost can be so overwhelming that we feel helpless. We wonder how our little lives can make a dent in all the chaos.
Jesus said, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT) God desires His sons and daughters to bring the lost into His family. The Church acts as a powerful magnet, drawing the lost because no other love compares to it. The genuine love of brothers and sisters in Christ comforts overwhelmed souls. It reminds them and us that God loved us first. It gives strength to the weak and courage to those who feel defeated. Love lifts our mood and increases our joy. No wonder the Hebrew writer said, “This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.” (Hebrews 10:25 TPT) We need each other! Being the loving Church Jesus died for is how we make dents in the world’s chaos. Those who live loved lives bless those who live lost.
Satan understands the power of love, so He deploys his most sinister chaos against the Church. He knows that if he can create division, love’s magnetic force will evaporate. This past weekend, Lean into Jesus Ministries held its annual women’s conference. It countered Satan’s chaos by inviting the Spirit to pour out His power. What I rejoiced in most was watching hundreds of women from a wide variety of Church tribes join together to worship the One who unites us all. There were those who walked in lost and left fully surrendered, all because of love. There were babes in Christ and those who had walked with Him for decades who grew stronger in the love shown to them. Tears and belly laughs broke through the walls of separation. God was honored in every expression of prayer and worship.
The Church doesn’t need anything the world has to offer, but the world needs the Church. God’s Church is where love is found, freedom is given, and friendship is formed. Let’s not be so conditioned to finding fault that we miss extending love, freedom, and friendship to all our fellow believers – no matter their tribe. The Church is our safe haven. It’s where each one of us can walk in the light we have been given and trust God to keep making our path brighter and brighter.
There will still be angry faces, cruelty, war, and crying children, but we will be empowered to make a difference one heart at a time. “And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming! Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!” (Galatians 6:9-10 TPT)
