The Truth of Life
Who We Are

We often believe that who we are is defined by moments of ease, when we're surrounded by what we enjoy and what makes us happy. We create a world that reinforces this belief, seeking out people who bring us happiness, engaging in activities that avoid discomfort, and steering clear of things that irritate us.

But the true measure of who we are is revealed not in times of comfort, but in moments of hardship—when we face adversity, when we are alone in the darkness of solitude, or when we're surrounded by people who may not bring us joy. Our reactions in these moments expose our true character and desires. They reveal the feelings that lie beneath the surface. Do we respond with love, forgiveness, and grace, or do we react with anger, intolerance, impatience, and frustration?

When we respond negatively, it reveals our lack of love for those situations. We’re not called to love only what loves us in return—Jesus said that’s easy. True love is shown when we extend it to those who are our enemies. It is in those moments that we truly demonstrate love. When I grow weary of people—whether friends, family, or strangers—and even when I’m frustrated by the world’s cruelty or those blocking my way in traffic, I show that I fail to value or love them. Yet, God loved us while we were His enemies. He looked beyond our sinful nature and saw not just a lost, blind beggar, but a child whom He cherished.

When you struggle to love people for who they are, it’s because you’re not truly loving them. When you can’t find love for the world around you, it’s because you’re seeing things through your own unmet desires and expectations. Instead of receiving what you want, the world exposes the emptiness within you. This void reveals your true self, often leading you to respond in negative ways.

As Jesus said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.” (Mark 7:20) We often blame others and our circumstances for our lack of love and the evil we are capable of, but Jesus said that this is our true nature. The good things we surround ourselves with are mere distractions, bubbles we use to conceal our true selves. They are façades that deceive us into believing we are something we are not.

What we truly lack is the love of Christ. This is the message we need to hear, for only Jesus can provide the love we need to love others rightly. When we embrace the love of Christ, we begin to see the world and people as He sees them. The beauty of this is that, when we have Christ's love for others and for the world, we are filled with a life-giving, immeasurable love that transcends all.

"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit."