Use Opportunities to listen, love and be kind
Needless to say it has been a very interesting 18 months or so in America because of this election.
I have a brother who is very invested in politics but I stay out of it. I keep my political beliefs to myself and my family. My friends know where I stand on issues and we are good with that. Well, at least I thought we were. After the election I have had many friends very upset and some even take out their frustrations on me. It makes me very sad. My heart breaks. It is literally tearing friendships apart.
In this moment in time it may seem like we are going to hell and America will never be the same. This may very well be, I’m not God so I really have no clue how this will turn out. However, from my from experience, I hear these sentiments after every election no matter who wins. I specifically remember after hearing the results of the George H.W. Bush vs. Bill Clinton election, a friend of mine called me on the phone crying asking what is wrong with America.
People are sad. People are mad. People are happy. People are afraid. And it is alright for them to feel this way. They have very specific reasons for why they feel that way. I can’t judge their happiness or sadness. That is not for me to decide.
What I have decided is that this is an opportunity for me to listen and love. And that is what I want to encourage you all with. As ministers we get a unique opportunity to be apart of peoples lives. Actually it’s a privilege to be apart of so many lives. Use this as an opportunity to minister to those closest to you and to the people you minster to. Listen to them. Love them. Be kind to them. My mom always believed that “Kindness Matters”. And now is the perfect opportunity for us, as ministers, to show people that we care about them. After all our hope is never in who leads a country but in Christ who died for our us.
Psalm 20:7 – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Today it is the election. Tomorrow it will be something else. Whatever day it is use it as an opportunity to listen and to love.
Jesus said in Luke 10:27 – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Ministers, this is YOUR OPPORTUNITY, don’t waste it. Listen, Love and be Kind.
Thoughts, comments, experiences? Share your thoughts below or on social media using #ymsidekick when you post. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
