Are you serious right now? How can they possibly not see this? It’s so obvious! This whole situation is frustrating me to no end! Any of these lines sound familiar to anyone besides me? I’ve found myself using these phrases a lot the last couple of years. It seems as though our society is more divided than ever on issues. Not just big issues either. The small stuff too! Ideas and perspectives over things that should not tear us apart as human beings. But it seems like the arguments continue day after day. No matter how hard we try, our humanity gets in the way of loving people the way we should. Oh, it’s easy to love those who think like you. But what if they don’t? Does that discount them from our list of “lovables”? It shouldn’t. But does it?

God recently reminded me, as He often does, that people in this world do not share the same perspectives. Yes, we see the same material, but we process it in different ways. Primarily, for His children, the processing comes from a view that is raw or unveiled if you will. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Corinthians 3:16 NLT). This “veil” that the Lord is referring to is not seen with the naked eye. It’s a spiritual veil that covers the eyes of those not yet in the family of Christ. They don’t realize they have it but according to the aforementioned verse, we all had it before we turned to the Lord. When the veil is taken away, people can see things through the Lord’s perspective. Does that mean we always follow the Lord’s instructions in decision making? I wish. No, sometimes our flesh rises up and says “my way or the highway”. This, then, is between you and God. But He prompts us to do things His way regardless. Interesting. Could this possibly be why people are “seeing” the exact same things differently?

We, as Christians, should be loving people on either side of the veil. This means even if we don’t agree. God did not give us the option not to love people. He does and so should we. There are issues that people are never going to agree on, but loving folks is not optional. Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT) Well, that settles it!

So, yes, there will be conflict as long as we reside on this side of Heaven. But let’s remember that people are not our enemies. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). There’s a real enemy out there stirring up strife and promoting chaos. If people do not realize that this is an issue, they will fall into his trap. People with veiled eyes cannot see this. Those of us with the veil removed should recognize this and say “No-not going there.” Having had the veil removed comes with responsibility. This does not mean in any way that we don’t stand up for what we believe in. We absolutely stand on God’s truth! But, we don’t let the enemy drive a wedge between ourselves and people that God loves. 

We all have more to learn. Nobody has life all figured out. Our hearts should be tuned into what God wants to do in us and through us. If it weren’t for the mercy of Jesus, none of us would be able to see things the way God wants us to see them. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). This is the goal, not our personal agendas. Who can we shine His love on today that’s still behind the veil?

 

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband, Robby and cat, Harold.

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