In our life’s journey, people can be a tremendous help or they can be a hindrance. Let’s face it, people are messy. We do and say brilliant things AND we do and say stupid things. No one is exempt, but we can all choose what to do with the messes of life. One of the most important things we can do is to show compassion and grace toward others, even if we don’t agree or perhaps even like each other.

I’d like to challenge us to do five things:

1) Look at our most recent social media posts. Were they encouraging? Did they lift people up? Did they make the world better or safer? Or did they spew judgment or divisiveness?

2) Think about the words we’ve said. Were they words we’d like someone to say about or to our child? Or are they words that would bring out the Mama or Papa bear in us?

3) Is there grace in our countenance or do we carry around smug smiles of self-righteousness and hatred, complete with a pointed finger of accusation?

4) Are we acknowledging that all human lives matter, even if they aren’t our flesh and blood? Even if we don’t agree with them? Or are we behaving like the only people that matter are the ones we agree with or call our family?

5) Do our words honor people as God’s children? Do they reflect a heart for humanity or a cruelty and intolerance for others?

Do I get it right all the time? Absolutely not. You see, I’m one of those messy people who does messy things. I’ve hurt others when I didn’t communicate well and allowed offenses to create walls. I’ve also lived out painful messes caused by others.

Messes are a part of life which means we all have work to do. We have people to hug, children to rescue, and issues to pray for. To accomplish the hard work that needs to be done, we have to roll up our sleeves and get right in the middle of the mess. To do anything less is a waste of our energy and our God-given gift of time. Let’s commit to showing love, grace, and understanding. Let’s decide there is no room in our lives for hatred, contempt, or disrespect toward ANYONE. Let’s go bless others with the lessons from our own messes.

Philippians 4:8-9: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (ESV)

Ephesians 2:14: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” (ESV)