Over the years, I’ve had a number of friends, neighbors and colleagues who have fancied themselves as self-sufficient. There was a point in time not all that long ago when that was a goal of mine as well, so I enjoyed discussions with them. Inevitably, during such talks, we’d end up contemplating what would happen if the world went to hell in a hand-basket. And one of the conclusions was always that we’d need firearms. But in many cases, I was surprised to hear the reason why.

As you know, I am a follower of Christ. As a Christian, I do my best to look at the world the way God does. Yes, the world is fallen and sinful. But the truth is that God loves each and every one of us. Many of my self-sufficient friends share this belief. Yet these same friends, when discussing the possibility of desperate times, say that they would need firearms to protect their things.

I love my family more than I ever thought possible. And I would protect them with my life. And if their lives were in danger, I would indeed use deadly force to protect them. But I cannot imagine a time in which I would do so to safeguard anything else. Even if someone wished to take the last of my food at a time when food was hard to come by, I would sooner let them have it than shoot them. Why? Besides my respect for human life, I simply don’t know what God has planned in that person’s life.

Many of us think we have folks pegged. We judge them based on what we see, not knowing their intent, their circumstances or their heart. Only God knows each of us fully. And only God knows to whom He will extend grace. And while Christians are called to judge those who claim to follow Christ, we simply cannot do so outside the church.

If a burglar breaks into a house, many folks make an immediate judgment upon that person. And amazingly, some conclude that the person deserves to die. And while I again state that I will protect my family, it would have to be pretty clear they were in danger before I would choose to use deadly force against another person.

God has plans for all of us. Yes, even you. Whether or not you know it, you were created for a reason. And God is willing and able to share that reason with you. Whether or not you find your purpose depends solely on you. Whether someone breaks into your home or someone simply cuts you off in traffic, remember to look at that person the way God does. Don’t judge them…love them. Remember, God has a plan for their life too.

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