By: Marcy Barthelette
Don’t ever let what someone else thinks or says about you be the factor that determines your value, because what God says about you is the only thing that really matters. Joyce Meyer, Quiet Times With God
“Did you see who their son took to the movie last weekend?“ “Did you hear that she got caught with drugs in her car?” “That kid doesn’t stand a chance with those two for parents?” “And did you know she’s pregnant—only sixteen years old—and she claims to be a Christian.”
Perhaps you were waiting in line to be served and overheard a comment similar to one of those above, knowing it was aimed at you. Or maybe you opened your social media account and found an unkind post about your new hairstyle, your weight, or your political stand? Perhaps it was a derogatory comment about a close friend. Or maybe you even made an unfavorable comment about another person that he or she may have heard or read.
Pastor Dennis has frequently reminded us that we live in a polarized society filled with hate. The internet, with all its technology, has created a platform for everyone with a phone (and that’s everyone), an opportunity to use the invention for good or for evil. Unfortunately, it often seems that evil is winning the battle, but I have great news for you. Our God is greater than any evil Satan throws our way.
Our first and most important hurdle in winning the battle is getting over ourselves. We thrive on the approval of friends, often more than family. We turn to them when things go wrong, thinking they’ll have all the answers to our problems. We plan and strategize about how we can overcome the adversities we face. When all else fails, we might, I stress the word might, turn to God. We know that He should always be the first one we turn to, but we can’t see Him, we don’t try to hear Him, we even overlook the very reality that He sent Jesus to pay whatever price we’re carrying around on our tired shoulders.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Wake up, Jesus people! It’s high time that we walked the walk and talked the talk. We can start by responding to negativity with love. You might be surprised at how an infusion of love can turn an ugly situation into a very manageable one. Most people really do respond positively to kindness. But one shot of kindness does not change the world. We all have to make a conscious effort to curb our tempers, think before we speak (or post), and wear a loving smile.
If you ever think that you don’t matter or that nobody is paying attention to you…think again. People watch. We claim to be Christian, so they want to be sure we “measure up”. It may be our kids watching, perhaps a spouse or a friend, or it may be a total stranger, but I assure you, someone is paying attention. And when you least expect it, they may tap that video button on their phone to record proof of your actions. Nothing is more embarrassing than having your teen replay a video of you doing something you’ve told them never to do. Let’s do our best to make sure that what they see is not us clamoring for attention or trying to cover up our mistakes, but instead, that they see us being more like Jesus.
The other bit of great news is that whatever has been said or done against us or whatever we’ve said or done against someone else, there is redemption waiting for each one of us. Every child, of any age, matters to our loving Father. So, let’s gear up to wage war on our hateful culture with abundant loving kindness. Let’s all get busy bringing Christ’s light into a dark world!
Make a big deal out of God. Become who you are for him. With God, every day matters, every person counts….and that includes YOU. Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life
