Squad Goalsنموونە

Ancient Jews were taught that it was their duty to hate their enemy. It’d be similar to telling a University of Michigan student that a part of their enrollment is rooting against Ohio State at all times. It was acceptable hatred. But Jesus comes on the scene and encourages them to show love to the people who are against them. He doesn’t just say love them but pray for them. The people on our prayer list are usually family, friends, and people we love, but Jesus recommends we add the people who are against us to the list.

That’s very important because Jesus knew it’s easy to be kind to your kind. It’s easy to like people like you. You don’t need Christ’s love to love the people you already love. Here’s the fifth squad goal you should have for yourself and your friends.

Goal #5: Love people that don’t look like, act like, believe like, vote like or talk like you.

One of the greatest things you can do for the world is invite someone to coffee who you don’t understand. Sit with them. Ask them questions. And just be a listener. You can be right later, but you should surround yourself with people who give you a variety of perspectives. Your squad should include people who give you a perspective you wouldn’t see if it was a squad full of people who see the world just like you do.

Who in your squad doesn’t look like you? Who’s someone you may have viewed as an enemy before that you need to actually pray for? Who’s someone in your world that stands in the opposite corner of you on any important issue? What type of person might you become if you were the first one to abandon your corner and move toward someone who doesn’t want to move toward you?