I’ve been reflecting recently on the experiences that shape each of us into who we are. Because of our individual personalities we tend to perceive things differently. Two people can experience the exact same event or happening and one comes away feeling encouraged while the other one feels hurt. And both are experiencing valid emotions based on their perceived experience. Many parents have puzzled over how it’s possible that one child thrived in their home while another felt hurt and resented the home environment.
Why is this? Why do we think so differently about shared experiences? I take solace in 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” And I think this same chapter in 1 Corinthians can also give us some valuable insights into what the response to our own frustrations should be when others are so convinced that an event or institution was awful when our own memories surrounding it are treasured and wonderful (or vice versa). We respond in Christ-like love. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We might disagree with someone but we can always choose to extend love even as Christ has loved us.
Love Amidst Differences
I’ve been reflecting recently on the experiences that shape each of us into who we are. Because of our individual personalities we tend to perceive things differently. Two people can experience the exact same event or happening and one comes away feeling encouraged while the other one feels hurt. And both are experiencing valid emotions based on their perceived experience. Many parents have puzzled over how it’s possible that one child thrived in their home while another felt hurt and resented the home environment.
Why is this? Why do we think so differently about shared experiences? I take solace in 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” And I think this same chapter in 1 Corinthians can also give us some valuable insights into what the response to our own frustrations should be when others are so convinced that an event or institution was awful when our own memories surrounding it are treasured and wonderful (or vice versa). We respond in Christ-like love. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We might disagree with someone but we can always choose to extend love even as Christ has loved us.
By: Pastor Jay Mast