We all Matter

I’m certain we will all be flipping through images of, quotes from & for some memories of MLK today. One single thing I really respect from this guy as many others, is that he saw a demand for change, had a gift to get people together & chose to make out something from it.

One of the many frustrations or pet peeves, I have with society as a whole is the whole “I’m better than you” persona. We see it through the eyes of our own lives as well as through the glass of our electronic screens we carry on the daily. It’s the whole “comparison game.” Let me simply tell you something – please don’t compare your chapter 1 to anyone else’s chapter 20. Comparison is the thief of joy. It will literally rob of confidence and cause the gift God put on the inside of you to be locked away in a closet. God created us with all different. God created you and me with purpose, value, identity, passion & vision. All of us are different and you know what – That’s okay!!!

I get so sick and tired of folks getting so caught up in being “popular” on this square-shaped social media outlet we call Instagram. Not only just Instagram, but Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform you want to throw on the pile. You got over 20k followers… who cares. You received over 200 likes… so what. Your last tweet was retweeted over 100 times. Wow, you’re so winning at life right now! I believe we’re missing what Instagram, Twitter, social media and even what life is really about… community. And I’m not talking about that “fake” community that some of these social media heavy hitters claim to posses. Nope. I’m speaking genuine, authentic (I hate that word now), and real friendship and community. That’s what MLK saw (I believe) and that was his goal, dream & vision. He saw community. He witnessed people of all colors, nationalities, gender, sexual orientation. He saw families from different walks of life and people who came from different settings. He took in each and every individual as they were and are. He saw that each man and woman were equal in the sight of God almighty. That’s precisely how Jesus views us – absolutely different, merely still with so much value. And please don’t think I’m comparing MLK to Jesus. Serious. All you super spiritual Christians step out of your super flaky box of religious oats for once and open your eyes with love instead of hate and judgement. If you look in God’s word, it’s written very plain, “Love one another.” There’s no way around that. Jesus didn’t say that we’re suppose to love others when we feel like it, when it’s convenient, when you like them, when you’re experiencing a big day or even when others do things for you. No. Jesus simply puts it three words– “Love one another.” (John 13:34) But Jesus didn’t stop there. He went on. I’m sure he did this because there are some of us that aren’t convinced in those three simple words. Maybe that’s not enough for you. Maybe Jesus tells you to love someone isn’t enough. Someone did you wrong. Someone lied to you. Someone cheated on you. Someone didn’t hold up to their promises. You were wronged. You were stolen from. The laundry list can pile up here, I’m sure. But I think the key part is what Jesus said next, which is “In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are mine – when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34) Wow! That hit hard. Not only did Jesus tell us to love each other, He went on to say that He wants us to love others how He loves us. I’m not even going to lie. Sometimes, for me, that’s hard. It really is. I mean, how in the world (Jesus) am I supposed to show and give love to that person? Did you see what they did to me? Don’t you remember back in 2004 how that person did this to me and said that about me? Shake your head if this is you. I know I’ve been there. Let me be real frank with you here. I know loving people isn’t easy. That’s the thing though. God didn’t say loving people would be easy. He just said it would work.

The love God has for us is unconditional, without limits, without boundaries and without judgement. God never refuses to love us no matter how much we are undeserving of that love. His love is relentless. It never quits. It never gives up. This is the same love Jesus wants us to give one another and I believe this is the same dream MLK had as well. So, the next time you feel as if you can’t love your friend, a family member, your neighbour or even your enemy – I challenge you to offer grace instead of judgement – not because the other person deserves it, but because God gave you the same treatment.

You see, no matter what your nationality, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, class, etc…. We are all still human. No matter if you’re “rocking it” as a social media all star or not… we all still matter. Whether you’re still stuck on chapter 1 or up to chapter 20, you still matter. We all are equal. Whether you’re white, black, or even rainbow colors (If you are rainbow, I don’t know, that’s pretty awesome) – you still matter and none is greater than the other. The last time I checked we all (I hope, maybe?) brush our teeth the same way and put our pants on the same way. We all matter. All of us. Thanks to a man like #MLK, in using his voice in a call to end hate and racism, and a call to show us that we ALL MATTER – we all have value. And more importantly – You matter to Jesus. But you know what, that person you can’t forgive, that individual you can’t seem to let go, that guy/girl you can’t seem to get over or maybe even that person you just cannot stand – They matter to Jesus too!

We all matter.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MLK

Adam is a native of South Carolina and has lived there most of his life. He is a husband to a stunningly beautiful bride, father of two amazing sons, enjoys the outdoors, photography, travelling, spending time with his creator and people. Adam manages and operates a professional photography business and Blogs over at realadampowell.co