Skip to main content

Hate.

My Facebook feed is filled with hate - mostly about people. Ranging from articles bashing the Ferguson protestors (and no, I'm not on their side) to articles bashing the Duggar's for the number of kids they have (and yes, I secretly love the Duggar's) to posts ranting about a teacher or coach to someone complaining about their significant other. Some may see it as sharing a viewpoint or voicing their opinion, maybe even sharing a funny story. But, let's be real. It's hate. Plain and simple.

If I had the courage, I would remove the Facebook app from my phone. But the withdrawal may just kill me. I would unfollow people who spread hate like wildfire, but then I wouldn't know it was happening. And my heart wouldn't break for it. Someone's heart needs to break for it, may as well be mine.

1 John 4:16..."so we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
1 John 4:19..."we love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:20..."if anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
1 John 4:21..."And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

John loves to talk love. We need to hear it. Especially today. John's teachings of love is one of the most relevant topics I've studied lately. We need to love. Not just any love. We can only love because God loved us. Those who do not love their brother (teacher, neighbor, family, stranger) don't love God. Love is perfected in the Christian. The lover of God. No one else.

I'm guilty of complaining about people. Guilty of harboring bitterness against another person. Guilty of spreading a juicy bit of gossip. Guilty of rolling my eyes when someone I'm not a huge fan of begins to talk. Hate. All of it.

Stop hating - I say this to myself. Stop saying you love God and then proving yourself a liar through your words or actions (or Facebook posts). Seek the love that has been perfected in you through the life, death and resurrection of Christ (1 John 4:17). Think before you post that article condemning another person. Think before you post a negative comment about anyone. Anyone. Especially the really-hard-to-love-people. Because they need it the most.

I am guilty. I have hated. I'm sure I'll struggle with hate again. But I'm also seeking to be a witness of the love that is continually being perfected in me. My social media presence will not be a way for someone to find me a liar, who says she loves God but hates people. I pray that I'll be a light in the darkness, instead of a voice who adds to the hate. Would you bring light into the darkness as well?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KC Adventures

So I've decided that I'm not so good at blogging. I meant to do this at least a couple times a week...not once every two weeks. It's a very busy time in my life so I apologize! I'll try harder! I have decided to focus this blog post on more FUN things! It seems my past posts have been serious tear-jerkers and while I enjoy them...it's time for some fun! Luke and I (the dorks that we are) have created a short list of adventures we would like to embark on when we get to KC. My plan is to document all these adventures and share them with you. This list is just a few things we have found so far...I'm sure it will grow. And as I look over it...most of it seems centered around food and sports. Hrmmm...let's get started. Oh, by the way, these are in no particular order. 1. Kansas City Royals game. No, we are NOT going to disown the Cardinals! We will always be Cardinals fans. However, Royals games are CHEAP! They have BUCK nights and areas of the stadium that ar...
2 comments
Read more

Tough Stuff of 2014

What a good time of year to sit and reflect over the past twelve months. My life is pretty normal – to me. But I really do believe that other people view it as…not quite so normal. Just in the past twelve months I have had three addresses, moved to a different state, sold a house, and bought a house. Luke and I strive to follow where God leads us and that isn’t always easy. Today I would like to share the toughest thing that happened in 2014. I do know that our biggest blessing piggybacks on my toughest situation. Isn’t that how it usually works? Hard. Tearful. Embarrassing. Mortifying actually. That is how I would sum up 2014’s toughest situation.   This is difficult for me to type and I know will be even more difficult to actually post, but I believe it’s all part of the healing process. Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off here – In April, I was told my contract at the school I was teaching at would not be renewed. Whew, glad that’s over. I’m swallowing my pride and there’s a bi...
2 comments
Read more

Clarity, Please?

Job hunting is never fun. Enough said. :) I just got home from my first job interview here in KC. And well, wasn't that interesting? I interviewed with a massage company...for (what I thought) a receptionist position. I got lost on the way there - but on a plus side I totally figured it out and got myself back on track (go me!). I had to drive literally through the city traffic to get there. I got off the interstate and proceed to, in my mind, the ghetto. It probably isn't though - I doubt I've ever been to a real ghetto. During the interview the lady tells me that we are in the ritzy part of town (uh, what?) and that customers will yell at me. Oh, and so will the therapists...I guess they think they run the place since they have a college degree. Um, I have a college degree. She also asked if I was familiar doing sales with a script. It appears that I have to call people and convince them to get a membership to this place. Okay....oh, and I make $8.50 an hour plus commis...
2 comments
Read more