The Ripple

We all want to make a positive impact on the world and be a part of creating a more loving and compassionate culture. What if it was as simple as waking up and loving the person next to us?

Whether it's our spouse, our child, or even the person sitting next to us on the bus, loving them changes our day. We start to see others as people and see the beauty and value in everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells us to "love your neighbor as yourself." This simple commandment is at the heart of the Christian faith and is a powerful way to convert culture. This doesn't mean that we have to be friends with everyone we meet, but by loving the person next to us, we are creating a ripple effect. Putting away our phone, smiling, listening, and caring about their thoughts. Making them feel that yes, they matter! That kindness is contagious. It creates a chain reaction of love and compassion that can transform the culture around us, one day at a time.

It takes a big dose of courage though to be willing to put ourselves in other people's shoes, accept them for who they are, where they are, understand them, especially when it differs than ours. It’s much easier to just ignore the obvious resistance, rather than putting our hearts out there with theirs, being vulnerable with our emotions and seeing things from their perspective. Only then are we able to give them the level of dignity and respect they deserve. God doesn’t ask us for much, but He does ask us to love others as ourselves. When I am authentically present with others, it takes strength to be honest with what I see. I must recognize when I need to be transparent enough to not only see their hearts but see how my actions might be affecting them. It is only then that I can learn to love better, see myself better and start the ripple. There have been so many ripples that I have missed, I am taking it one day at a time and appreciating the ones ahead of me.

My prayer for you today is that a ripple has started in your day, and you are feeling loved, mattered, and cared for. I pray you will feel the kind of love from those next to you, the love that you deserve and that today's chain reaction begins with you.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.