What do we do when we live in a world of hate? How do we go the way we know we should? What do we do when something bad happens to us or to someone we love? What do we do when a spouse or child turns on us? What do we do? In A World Of Hate!

If it’s me, I choose to love anyway. I choose to go on with my life carrying as little garbage as I must. It does me no good to hate, in fact, it costs me dearly. Why do bad things happen? Some happen by deliberate choices but most are because of bad decisions based on bad information. It is said that, “Hind sight is 20/20.” It is easy to know the winner of the race after the race is run. It is easy to say, “I should have . . .”

We need to know who we are. In the Clint Eastwood movies, the character Dirty Harry repeatedly says, “A man has got to know his limitations.” This is so true. What are our limits? How far are we willing to go in any given area? Have we ever sat down to take the time to analyze our thoughts and decisions? If we live in a certain area, to a degree, certain things might take place around us. If we do a certain job, there are certain expectations and requirements. There are different laws in different states and countries.

When we know who we are in Christ Jesus and who He is in us, life takes on a different meaning. We don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore. It just really doesn’t matter. He didn’t care about His reputation. He simply lived to do Father’s will. “Oh, but He hung out with the drunkards, the tax collectors, the cheaters, the prostitutes and the like.” Yes, He did. They were the ones who needed His help and they got it. The gospel made sense to them, but the teachers of the day couldn’t get it. The foolish were made wise while those with their prideful titles and distinctions were shown to be the fools. What a contradiction.

It’s easy to love others when everything is going great. What makes love special is receiving it when it isn’t deserved. This is the turning point in most people’s lives. They just received something and there are no expectations involved. This is life changing and this is my purpose in writing today.

The world we live in expects an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It expects others to try to take advantage of them. When love comes on the scene, it arrives like the sound of a huge gong. Someone got their attention. Their first reaction might be that it was just a one time thing. But if this love continues, most want to check it out deeper. What is it about this person? What makes them different? I must know more. Everyone wants to be loved and accepted. The Lord is Love and when they find Him, they can find rest, love and peace.

If you know the Lord personally, I challenge you to get closer and let His love radiate to others through you. If you don’t know Him, I challenge you to get to know Him. I have some other posts that tell how to do this. Check them out. Just come as you are to Him. Ask Him for whatever it is that your heart desires. Is it love? Is it acceptance? Is it a friend? Pour your heart out to Him and let Him comfort you. Don’t be concerned about others or what they think. They may simply not know. Maybe they desire a change too but aren’t strong enough in who they are to go for it. Be the one who makes a difference. Lead by example, talk is cheap. May the Lord pour out His love on you. May you be enveloped in His peace. May you find the friend you have been looking for in Him. Have a great and overcoming life. The most meaningful miracles in life are sometimes the smallest ones.

Joseph