I watched a music video in a public transportation recently titled, ‘Hillside’. I remember in times past when I was hurt by people I would agree with him, plus who doesn’t like nature?! Please see below the lyrics of the chorus:

Rather deh pon a hillside Weh nobody nuh deh fi turn to

Rather deh pon a hillside Than deh round people weh wi hurt you

Rather deh pon a hillside Hillside a bill vibes ‘n kno seh mi heart clean inside

‘Hillside’- Chronic Law

Despite our desires, the bible commands us, almost forces us to love community. Examine these scriptures:

• Proverbs 18:1 ESV
  Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
• Hebrews 10:25 ESV
  Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
• 1 Cor. 12:14 ESV
  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
• Acts 8:30-31 ESV
  So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

In theory, we should love interacting with our fellow members but then the sinful nature messes with our relations ever so often. Then, there is this lie from the enemy that says if we were alone, this wouldn’t have happen. However, truth is, Elijah left to be alone and his worries grew even more. Acknowledging that isolation will only make things worst, how do we fight this desire when one of our fellow body part hurts us?

Understanding Grace

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, the power of salvation, the access to Jesus and the destroyer of partial actions and thoughts. This is what grace means to me. It allows me to understand that every single human being I interact with has the threads of the sinful nature knitted in their conscious fabric from birth. Thus, they contend with an evil that makes them do things they don’t want to do. (Romans 7:15)

With that understanding, despite the reaction of my flesh to the hurt, with knowledge of the scriptures, I realign my response to His word. I respond with grace. If I want forgiveness, I must forgive (Matthew 6:15) , if I want grace I must give grace. (Matthew 5:7) I must understand too that I am grossly imperfect. My righteousness is compared to menstrual cloths! There is none that is righteous no, not one. I’m sorry but the deception of our sinful nature is that we would never do certain things, but look at Peter. If I were to be foolish and quantify sin, I would consider it to be one of the worst sins in the existence of the universe! He denied knowing the God who he said he would give up his life for. Yet, Christ forgave him and gave the keys to His kingdom- love personified!

We cannot hold ourselves or others to our standards of righteousness. This will eliminate the temptation to quantify sin and be partial. When we begin to see all mistakes, sins and flaws as equal, then we will begin to understand grace.

Shanann Williston

Love Made Perfect

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Cor. 13:4-7

Understanding love and demonstrating love is a continuous battle for me. The characteristics of love outlined above, sometimes seem so impossible to attain, when people can be so….irritating! However, scripture says whosoever who loves is of God and knows God 1 John 4:7. We sometimes crave living for Christ to be a reflex action but precious one, it’s a muscle that we have to exercise until it is fit (perfected). No wonder Paul scolded the brethren that they haven’t learned Christ. Christ has to be discovered just as how when we are interested in a person, we literally get all the information that can do a biography if something should happen to them. Learn Christ, learn His likes, dislikes, plans for the future, hopes and what His motivation is to be (can’t say alive, that would indicate that He has a beginning).

The why behind us staying together despite challenges is simply because of love and grace. Independence robs us from the benefits of community. Which are:

• Safety from wolves
• Encouragement to be Christlike
• Spiritual Guidance
• Edification by others ministry
• Sense of belonging
• Learning what selflessness means
• Develops your gifting and talents

Appreciating my very own lovelies! I love you sisters! Some of the family is missing but you know yourself. We are only stronger together! Listen to Kevin LeVar as he inspires us to truly demonstate love in the song titled, “A Heart that Forgives” here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c-pr3PE7Dg . Don’t forget to share, like and subscribe for more inspiration! Remember, you are precious.