As I scroll through my newsfeed today, I’m overwhelmed by the heartbreaking news. I read a few lines about a family who lost their children in a horrible act of violence. I see a picture of the scared faces of refugee children fleeing yet another temporary home. And that’s just the beginning. It makes me feel helpless.
What’s the right way to help when the problems feel too big? I wish I could stop the wars that cause so much grief and suffering. I want to help those who are hurting so badly, but I’m powerless to fix it all.
When the bad news surrounds me and I feel helpless, I know one thing for sure: loving your neighbor is always the right thing to do.
Jesus said loving God and loving our neighbors is the most important thing we can do. It might not stop all of the suffering in the world, but it is important.
Jesus surrounded himself with broken, hurting people. And He asked them to eat dinner with Him. If there was an outcast, someone who’d been abused or cast aside, Jesus was there with them. And He told us to be known by the love we show to others.
There are so many ways to love your neighbor. Sometimes it’s a kind word to a co-worker who is having a hard day. Maybe it’s buying a meal for someone who needs it. It could mean going a little out of your way to include someone in your group. Whatever it is, however you choose to love your neighbor today, it’s important.
Let’s love well. Let’s be known as Christ followers who love broken people. If we get nothing else right, let’s do this one thing really well.
Written by Candice Lee, Marketing Director for the WMU Foundation.