Love Your Neighbor Challenge — Day 11

Love means accepting all others.
Too frequently, we are caught in all or nothing thinking. We define things as good or bad. We see good people and bad people; good days and bad days; good relationships and bad relationships. But let me ask, can any person, relationship, or day be defined so succinctly?

We fall into error when we categorize people as all good or all bad. This type of thinking shakes our world, when someone we admired falls short of a perfect standard. Many popular views of people in history are being revised based on single issues: racism, sexism, or politics. But it would be a more balanced approach to consider that most people are complex and have views that are influenced by their times.

One example is Benjamin Franklin. I don’t think that he treated women all that well. But his treatment was fairly typical for a man in his times. And, he was forward thinking in many other ways. So imagine he’s surrounded by the typical limited thinking of his time and he’s pushing the boundaries in the area of self-government while not aware of his limited thinking in others.

People around us are just like that–we are works in progress. People may not see equal value in those who don’t look, live, or believe like they do. But perhaps they are making progress. And our real goal shouldn’t be to decry their shortcomings. A better goal is to find places where love can break through and change their perspective. Your love–your accepting of them even when you disagree–is the key. Demonstrating God’s love can make all the difference.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 KJV

Join our month-long Love Your Neighbor Challenge! This has the power to change your world.

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