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2020. Well, it’s been quite a ride so far. Anyone else feel like they’ve lived a hundred lifetimes already just in the last few months? What a year. There is so much hurt and fear and pain in our world. It’s heavy and overwhelming. My heart grieves over the loss of life, the sin of racism, the hatred and injustice, the fear and the division that still exists today. It’s awful. It’s evil. I’m heartbroken. And I know I’ll never be able to understand it all.
When life is this confusing and there’s so much devastation, we can find HOPE and guidance by looking at our example, Jesus. He lived with compassion and empathy. He loved and welcomed all. He taught us to love God with everything we’ve got, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. He taught us that there is no greater love than one who would lay down their life for another. Love is the greatest force there is on this planet, because GOD IS LOVE.
Please know that you are loved. If you feel neglected, overlooked or mistreated, know that God sees you. God loves you. I love you. My prayer is that we can come together and love our neighbors, our communities, our nation and our world – love each other – like never before. That our love for others would help the healing process, and reflect God’s love and light in the darkness.
I’m pretty sure St. Francis had no idea what we’d be facing in the year 2020, but his prayer is one that certainly applies, and is a great place to start:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
~ St. Francis of Assisi
God has called us to love Him and each other. In a world that is hurting and broken, afraid and fed up, let’s look for ways to love others well and share the HOPE we have in Him. Let’s pray that God can use this devastating moment as a real turning point for good. We’ve got to be more heart and less attack. We’ve got to be the light in the cracks. We’ve got to let His light shine through us. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 💛 (Matthew 5:14-16)