When We Forget What Matters Most

There are weeks when I plan every word, and there are weeks—like this one—when I sit down because I can’t not say something.

The truth is, I’ve been heavy-hearted. I scroll the headlines, see the comments, and overhear conversations, and I keep wondering: When did we start caring more about being right than being Christlike?

I’m not talking politics here. I’m talking about the way we treat each other — especially when we disagree. Somewhere along the way, we’ve confused conviction with cruelty and forgotten the one thing Jesus said mattered most:

Matthew 22:37-39

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The People We Leave on the Road

You’re likely familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A story about a man who was beaten and left on the side of the road. The ones who were supposed to help him — the religious ones — walked right past. The person who finally stopped was his enemy.

That story hits differently right now, doesn’t it?

Because if we’re honest, there are people we’ve left on the side of the road, too.

People we’ve written off because of their views.
People we’ve labeled, mocked, or ignored.

We justify it because it feels easier, or because “they should’ve known better,” but love doesn’t come with disclaimers.

Love kneels down in the dirt.
Love looks people in the eye.
Love says, “You matter,” even when we disagree.

The Finger in the Dust

There’s this small, breathtaking moment in John 8 that I think about constantly as I wrestle with my own prejudices and preferences.

A woman is dragged before Jesus, humiliated and accused. The crowd is ready to throw stones, and Jesus bends down and starts writing in the dirt.

The same hand that once carved the law into stone now writes in the dust beside a sinner - a sinner just like you and me.

He doesn’t excuse her sin, but He refuses to let the crowd define her by it.
He protects her, restores her dignity, and sends her away forgiven.

And I can’t help but think: maybe we’ve been standing in the wrong spot.
Perhaps we’ve been holding stones when we should be down in the dirt next to someone who is hurting, heartbroken, and being treated as if they’re less than.

Love Still Changes Everything

The world is loud right now. The comment sections are chaos. And it’s easy to believe that volume equals victory. But hearts aren’t won in arguments — they’re won through love.

So maybe today, instead of posting another opinion, we could start by walking across the street. Asking a neighbor how they’re doing. Praying with someone who feels unseen.

Because the world doesn’t need louder Christians.
It needs more loving ones.

Let’s be people who remember what matters most.

let’s do something today

Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you today?

Who in your community needs to know that they’re not alone?

How can we be salt and light in a world that needs it so desperately today?

Let’s drop our stones and get down in the dirt with the people who need it the most today.