If We Don't Agree
That's Actually Okay
One thing that has been irking me in recent months is a constant “I love that” or “I agree” from a particular person trying to make up for lost time in my life.
If I express an interest in something, he’ll say he loves it, if I show disdain for the same thing seconds later to see if he was listening or how he’ll react, he’ll say he was always against it. It is tedious to the highest degree.
However, I want to say for the record, I’m okay with if people disagree with me.
It does not matter to me if you have a differing opinion than me. I can’t change your mind.
For example:
If you feel like you want the last slice of pizza, sure go ahead. If you want to want to add some additional flavor, go ahead. If you want to eat everything but the crust, go ahead. It’s your choice.
An exception to this is if you feel like you need this slice more than the homeless guy you just passed by and you decide that even after your three slices. I’m willing to bet most people would offer the last slice to the homeless guy, but to those who are saying “I don’t know him” or “I just saw someone give him enough money for a slice” that’s besides the point. Most places would turn him away because of the fear he’d linger around or stink up the public place of business. If you could give him something to smile about, would you?
I follow this account online geared toward faith based affirmations, and little sayings that help me in my day to day, and one of the quotes stuck out to me:
Be the reason someone believes God is good.
This has been with me for a while now. I see faith and witness as a tool to build bridges between two strangers, or two groups of strangers.
Some folks see their faith unfortunately as a weapon, as many other things they believe in, and it hurts me to see people do so.
If someone doesn’t want to believe in something that you passionately do, don’t force it down their throat. That is tacky. 1 Peter 3:15 reads: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I can read people, especially if I hit a nerve like religious trauma, and it helps me be a gentle candlelight instead of a floodlight. Light their path, not blind them. It helps me properly backtrack when I have overstepped.
Sometimes an example of faith can be spending time with someone and meeting their needs. Christ meets us where we are, not where we want to be. He’s in our pits of depression with us, next to us on the floor, and even the person that smiles at us and tells us thank you.
Christ takes on many forms.
Christ loved us, even when we struggled, when we were his foe, when we were angry with him.
I have certainly asked him: “Why do you still love me? I’ve made so many mistakes.”
I think it is because of the example my mom loving me that I have my answer.
Parents (are supposed to) love us regardless of who we are, what we do, what we accidentally break, and what we say, but Christ and God love us regardless. God sent Jesus to die for us, and Jesus pleads our case.
This is where it gets a little more complicated:
God loves us, but in order to spend all of eternity with us, He wants us to acknowledge that we have hurt Him, that doesn’t come easy, especially for those who are boastful. Some people don’t think they’ve done anything wrong, that they’ve done everything by God’s letter and instruction. To that, I will gladly call out anyone’s bluff. We’ve all told a lie, or at the very least do something we aren’t proud of.
I’ll admit to all of you that sometimes I’d lie to save my skin or make myself more interesting in middle school or high school. I was a nerd, but only had like maybe 3 friends in middle school and 6 in high school. Less so in my first year of college, but in my second year, I started being super honest with others.
I still struggle with other sins, but God is teaching me empathy through these tests. I may not understand fully why the tests are long, but I know if I trust him, the sun will rise again and the storms will stop.
Jesus died for our sins and wants us to form a relationship with him and with God. But he doesn’t force it on us. If we don’t put in the work, we reap what we sow. If we don’t sow the seeds, we will starve come harvest. This isn’t made to guilt us (or you the reader) but it is the point that if we truly want to form that relationship that God and Jesus want for us to have, we shouldn’t actively run with the lighter or make other people’s lives a living hell.
Will you make at least two people smile today and tell them thank you for being in your life? I hope you, personally have a good day, and that you make each day worth living for those you love.