VotD 2/1/19
This one of those overquoted passages that makes me think, “Yes, but does anyone actually take this advice?” The way that I know to take this advice is to toss out everything and focus on love. If I love others, but I get my understanding of the trinity wrong, that’ll be ok. If I love others, but I’m not on the right side of a social issue, that’ll be ok. What Jesus will ask me when I get to heaven isn’t “Did you follow every instruction I gave correctly?” Instead, I think he’ll ask, “Did you do your best to love?” Yes, we ought to hold each other accountable and all that – but the only ones among us who can truly do that are the ones who are known for their love. Look at how the world reacts – which spiritual authorities are granted respect and authority in the secular realm? These days, it’s those that show love, regardless of their beliefs: Pope Francis, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. Rogers, Ghandi, the Dalai Lama. These people are very widely respected, and what do they have in common? They have all demonstrated extraordinary compassion. This is the path that Jesus lays out for us: love first, everything else second. How are you going to love someone today?