Hey everyone! Today, I want to talk about something that we all might need to hear right now. There’s a lot of hate going on in the world, and I know it’s easy to participate in it. We all have different opinions, and it’s easy to get angered when someone disagrees. I had been struggling with that for a while. I struggled with turning the other cheek when others did or said things that offended me. I especially struggled with it after moving away from my small hometown where virtually everyone, at least it seems, has the same opinions. It was easy for me to say that God lived in me because it’s easier to be kind when you believe the same thing someone else does. Then, I went to college.

1 John 4: 7-17 explains what God living in us truly is. If you have your bible, I really encourage you to read this passage before you continue reading this post because John explains it so much better than I ever could. To me, there are three points that John makes. First, God loves us. He proved this by sending his only son to die to forgive us of our sins. Now, we are no longer separated from God by our sin. Second, we have to believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, so the Holy Spirit can live in us. Third, since the Holy Spirit now lives in us, we have God’s love in our hearts. Therefore, we are called to not only love God, but to love all of his children. Since Jesus fulfilled the old law, we now live by these two commandments that Jesus tells us in Matthew 22: 37-39: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 

It was hard for me to adjust to being in a new environment. I was frustrated and anxious as I watched so many people around me be hateful toward others. Those are the very same people that preach love everyone and accept everyone, but the minute someone believes differently than they do, they immediately curse them and persecute them. Their hypocrisy frustrated me for a while, but I finally realized that God has put me exactly where he needs me to be. We, as followers of Jesus, are the light of the world, and the world could use a little light right now.  Remember that God doesn’t give us the spirit of hatred and fear. He has given us the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. So, from one vessel to another, I challenge you to be the light that can guide others out of the darkness.

Go in peace and serve the Lord, 

A vessel

Other helpful passages along with the ones I used: Galatians 5, Ephesians 2&5, Colossians 3, 1 John 4&5, Romans 12, Matthew 22