Can We Skip to the Good Part?
Finding Community in a divided world and making friends today can feel like walking through a maze with too many rules. Some folks expect you to announce who you are, where you’re from, or even whose land you’re on. In other places, you might accidentally offend someone just by wearing a team’s colors! It’s like being at one of those awkward work events where you’re forced to smile and act a certain way. Trying to find your people can feel like speed dating—rushed, fake, and exhausting. Don’t you just want to be real, be who God made you to be, and still find friends who get you? Like that AJR song says, “Can we skip to the good part?”
Keep the Main Thing First
Community Starts With Kindess
The truth is, we all want to belong. We want friends who see us for who we are, not some polished version we put on to fit in. This can make finding community difficult when the world feels so divided, with everyone picking sides over every little thing. It’s easy to feel like you have to hide parts of yourself to avoid stepping on toes. What if there’s a better way? What if we could be real, love others like Jesus does, and find a community that feels like home? That’s the goal, and it starts with keeping the main thing first.
Don’t Just Try to Impress
Everyone wants the same things
When you meet someone new, your first thought is probably, “I want them to like me.” That’s normal—we all want to make a good impression. But sometimes, we get so caught up in being liked that we forget to be a friend. We might think, “What’s in this for me?” or “How can I seem cool?” That’s just human nature. But it’s also why we’re nervous about meeting new people. We’re worried they’re judging us or want something from us. What if we flipped that around?
If we’re following Jesus, shouldn’t we be excited to meet someone new? Not because of what they can do for us, but because we get to show them kindness, like Christ does. Instead of putting on a show, we can be real and focus on being a friend. The way to do that is simple but powerful: love. It’s not about pretending to be perfect—it’s about caring for others the way God cares for them.
Love Everyone Like Jesus Does
The Bible has a clear answer for how to live. In Matthew 22:34-40, someone asked Jesus, “What’s the most important rule?” He said, “Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. That’s the biggest one. The second is just as important: love your neighbor like you love yourself.” These aren’t just nice words—they’re the key to everything. But have you ever really thought about what they mean?
Love isn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s a choice you make every day. As Christians, we know we’re God’s kids, loved so much that Jesus gave His life for us. That’s huge! And here’s the thing: every person you meet—the cashier at the store, the kid at school, even the person who annoys you—is just as precious to God. Jesus died for them, too. When you realize that, it changes how you see people. The person who helped you at the grocery store? God thought the world needed them. The neighbor who drives you nuts? Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you. Choosing to love them means seeing them through God’s eyes, not judging them for being different.
Every Person Has Value
Community is Comprised of People God Loves
When you meet someone new, try seeing them the way God does. It makes it easier to connect, even if they’re totally different from you. Think about the person who cuts you off in traffic. They’re not just a bad driver—they’re someone’s parent, friend, or grandparent. More importantly, they’re God’s child. That truth can change how you act. If you remember that everyone matters to God, it’s harder to get mad or upset.
Take your neighbor who has different political views. It’s easy to think, “They’re so wrong!” But God loves them just as much as He loves you. Doesn’t that make you curious about why they think that way? Instead of arguing, try asking questions. Find out what makes them tick. If God thought they were worth creating, there’s something special about them. Seeing people this way helps you build real connections, not just fights over who’s right or wrong.
Ask Questions to Connect
One of the best ways to make friends is to show you care. How? By asking questions. When someone believes something different, don’t jump in with an argument. Ask, “Why do you think that?” or “What’s your story?” Listening shows you respect them, even if you don’t agree. It’s like building a bridge between you and them. When you start with the fact that Jesus loves them, it’s easier to find common ground. That’s how trust grows, and trust is what makes friendships strong.
We often get defensive when someone disagrees with us. It’s like we’re scared of being wrong. But you don’t have to agree with everyone to be kind. When you listen and show respect, the other person feels safe. They start to trust you, and that’s when you can become real friends. It’s like planting a seed—when you water it with kindness, it grows into something amazing.
Treat People Well, No Matter What
At the end of the day, we all want the same things: to feel valued, to have friends, and to be respected. But the world makes it hard. People get divided over small things, like what team they cheer for or who they vote for. It’s like we’re all picking teams and forgetting what really matters. But when you follow Jesus, those differences don’t seem so big. You start to see people for who they are—God’s kids, just like you.
You can’t control what others think or do, but you can control how you act. Choose to be kind. Smile at the person who’s different from you. Listen when they talk. Be patient, even when it’s hard. When you treat people well, they feel it. They see that you care about them, not just their opinions. That’s when connections happen. It’s like shining a light in a dark place—your kindness makes everything better.
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