WJI Blog 2022, May 21 PM - Hidden, Yet Unifying Love

People. Human beings: the crown jewel of God’s creation, and yet, the ones that brought conflict, fear, doubt, anger, hatred, judgement.

Why are people so intimidating? Why is it so scary to enter a room full of unknown faces? The desire to be liked, appreciated, valued overwhelms every heart, so much so, that this desire creates a fear of the opposite.

But in reality, human interaction is often far easier than we imagine in our made-up scenarios. That first greeting, the smiles across the room, the early morning walks, the kind afternoon greetings, fellowship over meals, sharing of common experiences, all these interactions form relationships. What makes these interactions, which at first sound intimidating, so natural yet beautiful and exciting? The love of Christ.

Christ commanded His disciples to love one another as He loved them. He fervently prayed to the LORD for unity among His followers. He said, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:22-23).

The apostle John later writes, “Beloved, if God so loves us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12).

Despite our different backgrounds, interests, talents, the love of Christ transcends these differences and unites us all together in Him. The common ground of Christ’s love anchors each person and secures a family of believers and a home in Christ.

Orange County, IA exemplifies this truth. The sweet residents love sharing with familiar faces, reuniting with old friends, and welcoming new guests. The Tulip Festival draws travelers from across the country to visit their hometown. Even members of the same, distant church, providentially find one another in Orange County, IA.

The joy and love for the town’s people and traditions sweep through the streets as kind refreshment. Especially in contrast to the isolation and fear from the past two years, which has created greater impatience, anger, and judgement, Orange County testifies to the natural desire of community in every human being. The citizens invite everyone to share in their beliefs and customs. They acknowledge the grace of God in His generous provision and join together in praise of their Creator.

WJI students, I hope in the midst of observant reporting, you were able to look past the food trucks, local shops, various costumes, and see the hidden yet common, unifying love which fills every heart, shines in each eye, and brightens every smile in this small town in Iowa.

-Michaela Estruth