For the love of people!
I love connecting with people. I love hearing stories and learning from them. I love engaging in their journey and seeing what brought them to this place. C.S. Lewis said, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors." Yesterday I was at a community event that Neighbors Unidos hosted. There I met future leaders, and unhomed, and young people, leaders with big hearts, and people who care. Everyone has a story and a journey to where they are now. But over a meal, we were just people, people who care for the community, people who invested in the community, people who love their neighbors.
When I see you, I see the face of God. I see a person who has value and dignity, whose story intertwines with mine, who should be honored and valued. But our politics, religions, and worldviews often want to keep us separated – us vs. them. In light of eternity, 4 years of politics makes little difference, 6 years of educational differences, does not make a difference, 2,000
square feet of a larger home, makes no difference, a payroll that is different by a number, makes no difference. All this will be of no importance 10 or 15 years from now, relationships however, that is a different matter.
The people we engage with today, the life experiences and stories we hear, the journey we travel together, that makes a difference that will last.
So, for the love of people, let's care for each other.