Throughout my participation in the #LightTheWorld campaign, I have been pretty open about the fact that I am not a religious person. However, I am a teacher who recognizes excellent teaching when I see it. Regardless of one's religious affiliation, it is hard to deny that Jesus was (and still is) one of the greatest teachers who ever lived.
Nelson Mandela was also an excellent teacher.
Part of being an excellent teacher is presenting one's students with challenges. No one ever became stronger by avoiding challenges (unless the challenge is to become the weakest person alive). An athlete does not become elite by only competing against inferior talent. A weightlifter does not gain the ability to bench press 225 pounds by only picking up 10 pound weights. A NASA engineer does not help put people in space if she only does the easy math problems. A person does not become better at loving thy neighbor if he only loves the people who love him back.
Jesus, and many other great teachers, taught that people should love everyone.
Now that is a challenge.
When one accepts a challenge and attempts to overcome it, he does not immediately succeed (it wouldn't be much of a challenge if he did). There are many failures along the way. I would guess that there are far more failure than successes. But that is how the process works. We learn from and are strengthened by our failures. It is only after these failures that we have built up the strength and knowledge required to succeed.
Therefore, if the end goal is to become elite at loving others, we must overcome challenges in order to hone that ability.
I can think of nothing more challenging than loving one's enemies.
I can honestly say I am not there yet. I may never be. But I will try. It is in this constant effort that I will become stronger and better at loving others. Religious or not, I want to improve in this area. There is far too much hate in this world. It is worth the effort in order to avoid being part of that hate.
Today's #lighttheworld theme is inspiring me to attempt the challenge.
The official ligththeworld site states:
Jesus taught:
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."
—Matthew 5:44
It continues...
"We may not get along with everyone, but we shouldn’t be unkind to anyone. Jesus showed us the ultimate example of loving an enemy."
Martin Luther King Jr. was another amazing teacher.
The #lighttheworld website provides some suggestions for ways to meet the challenge of loving your enemies:
When was the last time you weren’t at your best?
Reach out to apologize to someone you may have hurt or offended.Do you have a family member, classmate, or coworker who’s difficult to get along with?
Focus on being kind to the person for an entire week.Is someone getting bullied at your school or work?
Stand up for your peer in front of a bully.
For more information on #lighttheworld, please visit https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days/day-8
