Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry famously preaches that love is the only power that will heal and transform our troubled world. And tellingly, he urges us not to grow discouraged. That’s because he is both wise and honest. He has experienced for himself what Jesus taught long ago. Love is powerful, and complicated, and messy…

Love’s opposition comes in many forms. Sometimes — and most newsworthy — that opposition takes the form of hatred and violence. What is more common, and thus harder to overcome, are indifference, timidity, ignorance and self-centeredness…

My friend Mack McCarter — founder of Community Renewal International — taught me to think of it like this. I’ve had my last argument. I’m going to invite everybody to walk the way of love with me. If they don’t like the way I’m walking, I’m not going to try to convince them that I’m right. I’m just going to keep walking.

      Jake Owensby, When Love Gets Messy, Ministry Matters, June 24, 2020