I am working on my latest book, which is about intimacy.  As I watch the news, I ponder the loss of intimacy in our relationships with one another. I am saddened with how the actions of a few cause such turbulence for the many. What is encouraging is that when I am on Facebook I see people coming together. I see the intimacy of relationships. Of course, the media does not show us that. The media shows what sells. Unfortunately, anger and violence sells while love and kindness do not. What does that say about us?

We need Christ. We need forgiveness. We need to see each other as created beings of a loving God. God created us for love. He created us to be safe with one another. He created us to care for one another.  He created us for unity.

He designed us for intimacy with one another.  When I say one another, I mean ALL of us. In each of us is the desire to seek what is best for the other. We cannot let the few ruin it for the rest of us. We need to embrace the unity we do have and fight against the actions of those who desire to breed hatred and anger. Love is stronger.

Everyone’s life matters. Even if the person is the most hardened criminal, they matter. The person deserves punishment; the person also deserves kindness. We all matter because we all bear the image of God. It may be distorted due to sin, but it is still there. 1 Peter 4:8 encourages us that “love covers a multitude of sins.” Christ’s love has covered our sins.

Our love and kindness towards others, can lead people to Christ. God’s kindness can lead people to repentance. Romans 2:4 tells us,

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

So, how can we show more kindness? How can we respond with kindness? How can we live as we were created to live? How do bring intimacy into our relationships? We could not act with such cruelty and anger if we cared intimately for each other.

We begin in our corner of the world and let it spread out. I think of the stone that hits the water surface. There is a rippling effect that is larger than the stone itself. We can we have an effect that is larger than we are.

It begins with our relationship with God. It begins with us knowing how completely God loves and forgives us. It is knowing how completely God loves that other person and desires forgiveness for him/her. Christ gives us an example of how to treat one another. On the cross, Christ asked forgiveness for those who crucified him. We can seek forgiveness and healing.

God can bring healing to our lives and our nations. The victory is His. He wants us to be a part of others coming to know the Father through Christ. We extend forgiveness. We ask forgiveness. Let us commit to extend love and kindness this day.

Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.