For #FiveMinuteFriday this week the prompt is the word common. The first thing that came to mind when I heard it is a line from “Color Outside the Lines” by Glad. It comes in the bridge of the song and goes like this:
You make even common things become a work of art.
God is always faithful to finish what He starts in our lives. He may not do things the way we think they should be, and color outside the lines of our expectations, but He will make a masterpiece. I love the truth illustrated in the chorus:
Color outside the lines I’ve drawn
Doing something different than I counted on
Color outside the lines I find
The picture’s not at all what I had in mind
But with one step back
Well it’s clear to see in your hands
Life becomes a masterpiece.
In God’s sight there are no common people. No one has more value than anyone else.
Color, race, political views, geographical location, food preferences – none of these make one better or less than another. We are all human beings created in His image. Most of us want to live in peace wherever we are.
This past week has brought out differences of opinion between people. Unkind words have been spoken. Some people are angry, others fearful, some happy, others sick at heart. The election seems to have brought out the worst, like we have forgotten what it means to show love.
Isn’t it interesting that when there is a natural disaster, friends and enemies alike work together? They realize there is a common goal, that of survival.
Political beliefs don’t seem to matter much when your whole community is facing danger.
I wonder if we could learn something from that. What would happen if we stopped looking at each other as enemies and sought common ground?
Let Love and Hope Lead
These are difficult times, and it is easy to despair if we just look at circumstances.
There is always hope even if we can’t see it.
We can’t change other people, but we can put our trust in God.
Starting in our own families and neighborhoods we can begin to listen. We can let love lead rather than hate or fear.
Let’s heed the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:43-48 in the CEB (Common English Bible) translation.
You have heard that it was said, “You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?
Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.
I want to remember to pray for our country and show love to all – friends and enemies. I want to see the world through His eyes and love as He does. That is my desire, though I know I will fall short. But God always gives grace. I pray that we will work together to reach our common goal of peace.
May we show each other grace and remember that Love will make a difference.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #MomentsofHope, #LMMLinkup, #Glimpses, #DanceWithJesus, #inspirememonday, #TeaAndWord, #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory
What a great reflection on this season. Here in this house, we are sad and wondering about so many things. Lately, I’ve noticed at every meal my husband prays for those who are living in a place of fear because of the election outcome. What a sobering thing to be praying in 2016 . . .
Thanks, Michele. It is a sobering thought to realize so many are living in a place of fear in this country that is supposed to be free. May God bring about His purposes even through this shaky time.
Blessings to you! Thanks for your ever encouraging words, Michele!
Dear Gayl, These are such good thoughts, and it is so true that during a disaster we all find ways to come together. We do find our common ground then, and compassion seems to rise up within us. Even now, we have that common ground to share the love that God has given us. Thank you for these beautiful words so crucial for this time and place! –Blessings to you my friend!
Thank you, Bettie. Yes, we do have the common ground of God’s love. That is a blessing in itself.
Many blessings to you, dear Bettie!
LOVE this, my friend! So good –and needed!
Thank you so much, Karrilee!
Many blessings to you!
I’m clinging to hope! 🙂
Yes, Tara! Our hope is in God who will always bring about His purposes even though we may not understand what He is doing.
Blessings to you, dear sister! xo
This has been such a hard week. In times like these it’s comforting to know my hope lies in the Lord and not in a man, or woman. Thank you for sharing at the Glimpses link up.
Yes, I agree. When we put our trust in people we are disappointed, but God never fails. We may not understand, but He will work out everything for good.
Blessings to you, dear Barbie!
Hi Gayl! I do appreciate you facing the hardship of living through all this crazy rhetoric and the whole presidential election. My goodness, how hard it’s been for our country.
Relying on love, and thinking about what we have in common the way to find ourselves back to unity. I pray that God will give us the peace and grace we so need.
Blessings,
Ceil
Thank you, Ceil! Yes, it has been hard, hasn’t it? But I know God will accomplish His purposes in the world and in our lives. We don’t understand things at all sometimes, but He does. I second your prayer.
Many blessings to you! Thanks for visting. 🙂
Your post reminds me of the words to the song, “Trust and Obey” for there is no other way. Trusting in God and praying for our nation and that we can come together and see each other more truly. Especially our similarities.
Thanks for reminding us who we need to be looking to.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Theresa. Yes, there is no other way but to trust in our God.
Blessings to you!
Always good. Never disappoints. xo
Yes, our God is good and He never fails. He loves us more than we realize. Thank you for stopping by, Susan.
Blessings to you! xo
Sweet words – such good reminders
Thank you so much, Leslie!
Blessings to you!
Gayl, I just read in Romans last night where Paul says that when we love others we fulfill the whole law. I was struck anew by this. The root of all sin is a lack of love for others when you boil it all down.
Thank you for spurring us on to love one another.
Blessings
Karen, thanks for reminding me of those words of Paul. Yes, love is so important. It’s the greatest gift we have.
Thank you for visiting. Many blessings to you, sister!
I am praying for my mountain neighbors during this dangerous time of fires. My brother lives in Pickens so my thoughts are definitely with you. Thanks for faithfully sharing on the #LMMLinkup.
Mary, I didn’t realize your brother lived in Pickens. The smoke hasn’t been too bad here today. I hope they are able to extinguish all the fires soon. We need rain badly.
Thanks for visiting! Many blessings to you!
Amen, Gayl! “There is always hope even if we don’t see it!” – I couldn’t agree more♥
Thanks so much for sharing this hope at #MomentsofHope
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thanks for visiting and for your sweet encouragement, Lori!
Many blessings to you!
Listening to those around us. Yes!! I love all of this but that part stuck out to me. I was one who was really stuck in her own bubble. Maybe some of it was the way I was raised, but God is working on me. He is showing me He loves us all and He he wants us to care even about the ones who hurt us, who seem scary, or seem like they don’t want what’s best for us. I love Holley Gerth’s post about love being stronger than fear. The scriptures here are awesome. I also just read Romans 12:16 and this sort of reminded me of what your wrote about no one being more important than the other! Thanks for linking up with #TeaAndWord, friend!! By the way, I love your outdoorsy updates on here. I am sucker for greenery and wood houses but I just wanted to say, it is lovely.
I was stuck in my own bubble for a long time, too, but God has been showing me how to listen and to reach out to others. Yes, love is definitely stronger than fear! 🙂
Thank you for visiting and for your encouragement, Meghan! I’m glad you enjoy my outdoorsy stuff. 🙂 Thank you for being you!
Blessings!