Walking the LineSample

All your life, you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate. . . . I choose love. —Johnny Cash

I choose love: three words that can change the world. One person at a time. One encounter at a time.

Jesus showed us what the words look like in action. He chose love, always — often in the most unexpected of ways. And usually in stark contrast to the people around Him.

Case in point: the people of Jericho, who chose the subtlest kind of hatred toward a blind beggar in their midst. They ignored the man. No doubt, many of them also grumbled to one another about the problem of panhandling on their roadsides. When the blind man dared to make his presence known, they tried to silence and hide him. Jesus made the more difficult choice in responding to the man. He gave him His full attention. He showed him kindness. He asked about the man’s need and then committed to doing something about it. Jesus chose love and changed a life forever.

Case in point: the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who chose outraged hatred toward a woman they caught having an adulterous affair. They dragged the woman to Jesus to humiliate her publicly and then threatened to do worse. Jesus refused to join their shame parade. He ignored the label of “adulteress” that the hypocritical lynch mob used to try to pigeonhole and condemn the woman. Instead, Jesus chose to see her for who she was and not just for what she’d done. He reminded her accusers that their moral high ground wasn’t as high—or as moral—as they thought it was. Jesus stood by the woman, unconcerned about how His own reputation might suffer. And after her accusers drifted away one by one, He offered the woman a word of encouragement and motivation instead of condemning her. Jesus chose love and changed a life forever.

Case in point: Peter, who chose self-hatred after he failed Jesus miserably on the night of His arrest. Peter wept bitter tears after his failure. But when the two men met again after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus chose a loving reconciliation. He didn’t criticize or accuse Peter. He didn’t play on Peter’s guilt. Instead, Jesus reminded Peter of his worth. He spoke to him like a beloved friend. He entrusted him with a sacred responsibility. Jesus chose love and changed a life forever.

What does it look like for someone who isn’t the Son of God to choose love? It looks like a kind response to someone who insulted you on social media. It looks like a well-timed, heartfelt compliment for someone struggling with confidence. It looks like a quiet vigil at the side of someone grieving. It looks like an invitation to someone who doesn’t often get included. It looks like a blanket, shoes, or a meal delivered to a homeless person.

Each choice we make to show love to others makes a difference. Every time we say “I choose love” through our words and actions, we help turn the tide of hate. We change the world by changing lives—one person at a time, one encounter at a time.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for choosing to love me. Please give me the wisdom to recognize what love looks like in a given situation and the courage to choose it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.