It doesn't take a genius to recognize there is something very wrong in our world today. The only thing we gain from watching the news is heartbreak and we only try to mend it with fearing the unknown. We stand back in silence out of our lack of ambition to change the world and give excuses like, "I'm only one person" or "Even if it's changed here, it will still happen somewhere else." What if I told you, you weren't alone? Or simply that we are missing a key component in today's society?
We are missing LOVE. And not just a compassionate heart that stirs for justice, but genuine love that comes from our Father in Heaven and can be shown through us, implementing hope into this broken world.
Love changes people.
Seriously, it radically turns hearts around. It makes people who were once so broken and evil, yearn for the greatest possible goals. It changes our view of the world from broken and hopeless, to broken and reparable. I mean, look at Paul's story and how love and mercy changed him. He was once a murderer. That's right - he wanted nothing more than to eradicate those who were Christian. He dragged men and women from their homes and threw them in prison. All for what? For proclaiming the great name of Jesus - the same name that changed him dramatically. Once he met Jesus, he met pure LOVE. Because our God is good, Paul received grace for his actions and was sent out BY Jesus to proclaim His name. His heart was turned upside down, he walked in the light of Love, and shared a message of hope. Love changes people.
Love is enough.
It's easy to stand back and let the fight go on because you think there isn't much you can do. Well, you alone may not be able to carry the weight of the world, but our God can. Spreading the love that comes from Jesus is more than enough to change the world around you. Once your world is changed, you have the opportunity to change the world of others as well. Their empowerment from love changes others until you have a chain reaction. Once God's love is implemented, there is no going back. It is enough to heal, open up eyes to what is really going on around you, and it is enough to bring the change we need in this world. Love is enough.
Love never fails.
A question that I've heard constantly: if love never fails, why is the world falling apart? But let me ask you this: How are you implementing this Love? I don't just mean giving someone a pat on the back when they've had a rough day or helping someone in need by giving them spare change. This last week I was at a camp with my church, and something preached was the idea of pioneering. Stepping out in faith and starting something new. Share with people this love that we can trust in. When you hand someone your spare change, give them words of encouragement. When you comfort someone after a hard day, remind them that God is sustaining them. Pray for people. Step out of your comfort zone. With the amount of hate in this world, comfort is nearly impossible, so what's the point in trying to maintain it? Get up and don't walk in fear but in LOVE. Because Love never fails.
Stop holding the weight of the world and give it to God. Pray for your enemies and those around the world who are hurting. Be someone who forgets comfort and strives for justice. Lean on Love - it changes everything.