LiveGrace

Today we live in a world and in a country where beliefs are all over that map. People’s opinions are screamed from the rooftop while others sit in silence in fear of speaking their mind. When it comes to hot topics circulating our country, I tend to keep my mouth shut, because I believe I lack the knowledge to say anything. However, I do know that I hold beliefs that are rooted in truth.

I believe in grace. I believe in love. I believe in freedom for every heart. I believe that every single person has worth not because of who they are but whose they are. I believe every heart wants to be known and deserves to be known. I believe in truth and taking off anything that hides the truth. I believe in exposing lies. I believe in justice.

So in claiming these beliefs, it has been heavy on my heart that some around us are not receiving the same worth as others. I hate that judgment is being placed on people based on outward appearance when the heart is all that matters. I do not understand when we make assumptions. I have a desire for every person to know their worth and know they are loved. If we are the image-bearers of Christ then how wrong and heartbreaking is it when we do not make every person we come into contact with feel loved, especially if that judgment is as a result of outward appearance?

The heart is what matters. It is not about skin color. It is not about what beliefs they hold. It is not about the sin in their life. It is not about who they identify as. Our job as followers of Christ is to love every person as Christ loved. Jesus loved the outsiders and the broken. Each of us was broken beyond human repair and Christ raised us up as a new person. We have no right to brush someone aside or see them as having less worth because we would each have no worth without Christ. We are no better than the next person.

So love always. Speak truth in love. No one cares what you have to say if they don’t know that they are viewed as loved by you and that you value them. Every single heart is worth fighting for. The enemy is trying to pin us against one another through our differences and keep us from spreading the love of Christ. Do not let him win. Hearts will not be won for Christ without love and relationship. We, as believers, need to unite. We need to fight for justice for those who have been wronged. We need to love as Jesus loved. We need to show how Christ can set each heart free of their burdens. We need to show everyone they have worth. We need to get to know the people’s stories we come into contact with and get to know their heart. We need to fight for truth.

Don’t sit back and think you do not make a difference. Each one of us has an opportunity to make a difference every morning we wake up. Engage in conversations, smile at everyone, seek to understand people’s stories, serve others, and keep your eyes open to where the Lord is calling you to move. Commit every morning to make an effort as you go throughout your day to make every single person you come into contact with leave feeling more loved and more understanding of the worth they have. Don’t miss the opportunities to make a difference that God has put right in front of you, because you are closed off to the idea or are scared of what others will think. Love always and speak the truth always with love and grace.

I am committing to this being my purpose–to allow the grace of God, freedom through His death, worth in whose we are, truth in His Word, and known hearts through Christ to control my life and how I live. Will you?

With love and grace,

Olivia Mars