Last night a few wonderful men in our neighborhood, including my husband, surprised their wives with a date night that included dinner and a concert. At the dinner table, each of us women received a note from our husbands with three things that they love about us. We finished dinner then were escorted to a concert featuring Rend Collective. I have to admit that I had never heard of the band but when I walked in, the music and words touched my soul. These words are from one of their songs “Build Your Kingdom Here.”

Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

After the election last week, this song spoke to me. I recognize the need in our country to “heal our streets and land” and “win this nation back.” My heart has been so heavy that I just didn’t know what to do.

Then it hit me.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

My motto this year has been to “Lead with Love” and this is just another example of what is needed in our country. If people focus on the love of God, a pure and un-earned love, that things will automatically change. But I wondered… where are people going to see and experience this kind of love?

They should be seeing and experiencing this kind of love from the church or those that call themselves Christians.

I challenge you this week to be the kind of love that Christ showed us. He loved us so much that he died for us, even when we didn’t deserve it.

Are you willing to love your friends, neighbors, co-workers or family in this same way regardless of their political, religious or other beliefs?