3:67 – God, I’m Supposed To Be Like This Right?

#faithbites #faithjourney supposed

I often wonder if I’m weird, strange, or stupid. The reason for this is I don’t see things like many do. I believe everyone should live their lives as they please. They can believe in a God or not. They can love who they want and do what they want as long as they aren’t stopping someone else from doing what they want. When there are conflicts, I believe in the love first, then invite to change method. I am very much in the middle of what government should do and don’t do. My religion has beliefs, my church has beliefs and that is different than many believe in and that’s their choice. I will chose love first.

Maybe I’m weird for trying to see all sides. Maybe I’m stupid for not being on one side and fighting too the death on every issue. I believe that God created me, and all of us, to live in community in peace and love. And when disagreements happen, we re supposed to approach them in love.

Scripture

• For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:13-16
• I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3

Reflection

My way isn’t always right, but God’s is. I am very limited in my toolset for confrontation. Personally, I try to understand where the person is coming from before making an assumption.

I know that I am supposed to be this way because God formed me. He.made every part of me. If I wasn’t supposed to be this way, he would have changed it. If this is true, then seeing all sides, calling out injustices when they are made, even if you don’t agree with those sides in general, is part of being a good human.

Ok, this is a bit rambling. Just know that God wants us to be in harmony. When we disagree, we do it with love and understanding.

Challenge

Find one person or knew topic you disagree with. Talk to the person. Listen to them. Learn about why they believe what they do. You may not change your mind and they may not change theirs but you may have a better understanding of them and can work better together on other issues.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we need your Grace. Your Grace passes all human understanding. You love us no matter what we do. We don’t like what we do but you will forgive us and want us to come home. Help us to have just a fraction of that grace when we disagree. Let us see everyone as our brother or sister and work towards reconciliation and love. That doesn’t mean acceptance of sins or mistreatment but it does mean love. In your name, Amen.