Violence. Racism. Hatred. The media is quick to report the gruesome details. Tragedy has stuck again, leaving a wake of hurt and heartbreak. Senseless and meaningless acts, leaving all of us in mourning and shaking our heads in disbelief.

And if that wasn’t enough, we have experienced destruction through natural means of great proportion. Disasters that have left parts of our country devastated, now in the process of picking up the pieces and rebuilding. Individuals learning to live in a new normal.

Yet, there in the midst of everything that is going wrong you will find people selflessly fighting for, taking a stand, and serving those in need. Often tragedy highlights that which really matters and we all have to take a look at where we put our hope and find our security. The past months have reminded us of just how quickly and unexpectedly things and people can be taken away. It has been a sobering year, revealing our frailty and vulnerabilities as people.

But, perhaps the most harmful attacks have been through political means. We are a divided nation, each party claiming the side of right. Each side willing to sacrifice the other for the upper hand in power, neither willing to bend. It is either this or that, we’re right, you’re wrong. No grey. No compromise. No love.

And it seems that in order to show love one must now agree with every decision deemed politically correct. If love equals total agreement, then any disagreement must equal hate. That’s the mathematical logic of today’s society. At the very least, disagreement is considered closed minded, old fashioned, not current with the times.

My heart grieves for what I see and what I hear. No one seems to be able to agree on how to handle these tough issues. Christians are choosing sides and pointing fingers, and really there seems to be no difference in believers and non. Hate is being spewed verbally, in videos, and through angry words published online. Hate is being disguised as love, (through marches, statements, boycotts, passive aggressive jabs), because this surely cannot be how love is supposed to act or how it’s supposed to look.

Here I stand. Stunned. How have we twisted our politics and opinions in such a way that completely negates the opinions of others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us what love does. For, love is a verb, it requires action.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.

And, rather than reading that and deciding who is and who isn’t living a life of love, what if we took a closer look at our own actions, the condition of our own hearts? What would we discover, uncover, be able to recover? Reading those verses should never have us thinking about what so-and-so should do, but rather they should be words that convict us to corse correct our own displays of love.

While love is full of grace, no doubt, it also rejoices in truth. And, as a Christian I cannot reject what I believe as a means of showing love the way that culture expects.  I do not agree with everything, but the outpouring of love is not contingent upon my agreement. Period.

My acceptance of you as a person does not mean I agree with everything you do. My disagreement of any of your actions or beliefs does not equal hatred.

So, how do we love well in today’s culture? The same way the generations that have gone before us have handled these issues: prayer, studying the Word, worship, fellowship. Giving to the poor, offering help to those in need, caring more for people than any issue, stance or political bent. Connecting, serving, building others up.

We must look more like Jesus. No one will ever bully anyone into seeing things differently, no matter how right the issue or cause.

Love is more than a feeling, more than an emotion, it is an intentionality in expressing care and respect for others. Let’s not miss our opportunity to love others well in these trying times. After all, it’s our love that sets us apart and points others to the truth.

(For a great read on this very subject, I recommend The Daniel Dilemma by Chris Hodges.)

How do you show love in difficult circumstances?

Join the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts.