“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” 1 John 2.9-11
Today, I am in Sofia, Bulgaria. It has been since the COVID pandemic that I last went on an international ministry/mission trip. I am here with the Global Methodist Church from the Mid-Texas Conference, partnering with the Bulgarian Methodist Church. Sofia, the ancient capital city, is thousands of years old.
The passage in John makes me reflect on how I love and relate to others. How can I be in the light of Christ yet hate a brother or sister? John says that if someone claims to be in the light but hates others, they are actually in darkness. The Bulgarians I am meeting, whether they are Christians or not, are children of God whom I am called to love. We cannot love Jesus and hate others; the roots of evil live within us until we allow the light of Christ to remove them from our lives.
We have two choices: live in the light of Christ’s love or live in darkness. I choose to live in the light. I choose to love those around me, to encourage, to learn, and to love. I am capable of many things, but loving all people is not easy. Yet, with Christ within me, I can live as He has called me to love others.
I do not know what today brings, but I pray that as I meet new people and have new experiences in this city, I might represent the Lord. May I be a light as I love others, hate no one, and represent Jesus in all that I say and do.
“O Lord God, You are good. Thank you for this day. Thank you for sending me to this place. Teach me Your ways. Give me Your heart. Increase my territory for You. Help me find my security in You, my rock and my salvation. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen