Something clicked for me today. Figuratively speaking, that is... otherwise I might need to see a chiropractor. I took a break from speaking to God, because my stomach was growling. I hadn't eaten in about 16 hours, and He told me to eat something and come back.
The local convenience store, being near to a college campus, is never hurting for business between September and May. Some of the people there triggered judgmental thoughts in me, such as, "Is it really important to look your best at 1 AM Saturday morning? For college students, probably so." Then I realized that I need to refrain from judgmental thoughts. A few weeks ago, God told me that He wants me to be "a loving example." So I told myself, it doesn't matter if I agree with how these people live. They are God's children. Besides, I thought to myself, they're just following bad influences, which I have done myself.
Then it clicked. Over the years, I have come to realize that I'm good at empathizing. When two people are in conflict, I can usually look at them and say, "I understand where person A is coming from, but person B has a point as well..." I can see both sides (or all sides) of an issue. In fact, sometimes it makes me feel alienated from others because people usually want me to take a side. I don't know why, but conflict seems popular in our culture, and people often think that if you're not on their side, you're their enemy. So, if I can empathize with both sides, then, I'm really not on anyone's side, am I?
Anyway, it clicked. God wants me to be a loving example. And I can empathize with opposing viewpoints. Maybe that's why I'm a political independent; I think it's beneficial for both sides to take turns controlling the country. Once I had to take over the job of a co-worker who always seemed very frazzled while she went on vacation. After doing her job for a while, I felt frazzled too. It didn't take much of a leap to see why my supervisor was always stressed and antagonistic, as well.
It's not that everything is justified and relativism rules... but people usually have reasons for the things they do. Reasons that seem good to them. Understanding that makes it easier to love them. Thank you, God.
The local convenience store, being near to a college campus, is never hurting for business between September and May. Some of the people there triggered judgmental thoughts in me, such as, "Is it really important to look your best at 1 AM Saturday morning? For college students, probably so." Then I realized that I need to refrain from judgmental thoughts. A few weeks ago, God told me that He wants me to be "a loving example." So I told myself, it doesn't matter if I agree with how these people live. They are God's children. Besides, I thought to myself, they're just following bad influences, which I have done myself.
Then it clicked. Over the years, I have come to realize that I'm good at empathizing. When two people are in conflict, I can usually look at them and say, "I understand where person A is coming from, but person B has a point as well..." I can see both sides (or all sides) of an issue. In fact, sometimes it makes me feel alienated from others because people usually want me to take a side. I don't know why, but conflict seems popular in our culture, and people often think that if you're not on their side, you're their enemy. So, if I can empathize with both sides, then, I'm really not on anyone's side, am I?
Anyway, it clicked. God wants me to be a loving example. And I can empathize with opposing viewpoints. Maybe that's why I'm a political independent; I think it's beneficial for both sides to take turns controlling the country. Once I had to take over the job of a co-worker who always seemed very frazzled while she went on vacation. After doing her job for a while, I felt frazzled too. It didn't take much of a leap to see why my supervisor was always stressed and antagonistic, as well.
It's not that everything is justified and relativism rules... but people usually have reasons for the things they do. Reasons that seem good to them. Understanding that makes it easier to love them. Thank you, God.
