In the Trenches

My heart longs to be down in the trenches. Down in the muck and mire. In the filth of it all, helping my fellow man find shelter from the rapid enemy fire that surrounds us daily, growing greater as the days pass.

Now the enemy fire that I am referring to is not just the tangible. I am calling attention to the horrendous attacks that come through words of great hatred and condemnation. Hurtful words that cut straight through the heart causing considerable amounts of pain. Degrading those to a belief of insignificant worth. Lies. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul beckons us to "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

What has happened to us? How did we get here? Since the fall of man found in Genesis 3, which dates as far back before 2500 B.C. [and is accepted by many scholars] we have fought one another with jealous, prideful hearts.
So how can we break this vicious cycle? As Theologian Albert Schweitzer poetically put it, "Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes  misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." 

We must love without condition. To forgive those who have wounded us. To help those in need. To see others through the eyes of Christ. That is what we must do. To view each other through the lens of compassion. So I am trudging deeper and crawling further.  I am looking for those to love. To befriend those who have been turned away. To show them Christ through me.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. ~ Luke 6:31

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9