(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Fill in the blank with the first thing that comes to your mind: It’s easy to _______ but it’s difficult to _________. What words came to your mind?
You may say that it’s easy to eat junk food but it’s difficult to exercise. It’s easy to watch tv but it’s difficult to read a lengthy novel. It’s easy to drive during the day but it’s difficult to drive after nightfall. There are thousands, even tens of thousands of possibilities. But it’s unlikely that anybody will say It’s easy to love others but it’s difficult to judge others. If anything, the exact opposite is much more likely.
We find it easy to judge anybody who may look, think, or behave differently than we do. We may criticize others (even in our minds) for clothes they wear, the food they eat, or even the way they drive. But the life and ministry of Jesus showed that He wasn’t critical or judgmental toward others. Instead, He reached out to offer real compassion and love to those who were used to hearing criticism from others.
Today, pay close attention to your thoughts. What steps can you take to ensure you see others through a lens of love?
READING & JOURNALING:
There’s no denying Jesus saw people through a lens of love. Who is someone in your life you need to see through the lens of love today? How will you do so?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that I often see others and/or their behaviors through a lens of judgment instead of through a lens of love. This week, help me to grow in seeing others as You see them. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
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