In conversation with someone today I was trying to explain something we already know just maybe don’t think about. God came down to Earth. In other words, God had to “get on our level” in order to fully understand how we as humans think, act, react, love, hate, hurt, protect, basically everything. I know some of you are possibly thinking already… HE is the one who formed us, why would He not understand how we are? Simply put, think of Parents and Children, when Adults grow in wisdom it’s very easy to forget how a child thinks and why they do things the way they do. Same with growing in new positions at work, once you’ve gained more knowledge on that area, you begin to question why someone would treat their job as if their role doesn’t matter. God has all wisdom, He has all knowledge, therefore God needed to “get on our level.”

In my explaining, I was reminded that we are to be like Christ. So if God sent Christ to “get on our level” aren’t we too then needed to “get on others levels?” Let me play this one out for you. There is so much division in our world, we pretend to fix it or even attempt the best we know how. What if we took it one step further and “got on their level?” 

Guys, before I get stink nose looks for saying the word level please do not assume I mean some are higher or lower than others. Simply put, it’s a phrase the same as “put yourself in their shoes.”

How can you fully understand someone’s feelings if you don’t place yourself in an imaginary state of their story? Sure it’s easy to say you get it, but until you are placed in that same area I promise you, you will not fully be able to understand. 

Let’s take a situation in my life for example. I’ve always had compassion for those going through radiation or chemotherapy. I felt I had full understanding of the pain, thought I had the right words to say to someone when the times pushing through felt impossible, and imagined how hard it must be on the families seeing their loved ones so frail. Sure, I had a good handle on it, but as I physically went through it twice, I was able to fully feel the pain, able to know what I NEEDED someone to tell me, and I was now the one seeing my loved ones watch over me, making me feel as if I wish they weren’t. I had a better understanding because I was placed on that level. 

Another example in my life would be marrying a man of another race. I used to feel people placed themselves in a mind rut. Allowing what others say about them to take over and start becoming just that. (Now this still stands true for some people) Meanwhile after marrying a man of another race, I found myself on another level. A level that opened my eyes to so many things, allowing me to see good and bad. Things I wouldn’t have gotten to see had I married a man of same race. (And yes I know this to be fact) 

A simpler example would be befriending the one person those around you are making fun of or gossiping about. When I was in grade school, I made it a point to friend those who were getting bullied or were out casted. Why? Not because I’m a noble citizen (FAR from that actually), but because understanding how they think/feel opposed to how someone else tells me others think/feels always seemed more important to me. 

All of this isn’t meant to be a show of my life, it’s meant to be examples of what I know most, and that happens to be my life. So now, ask yourself, how can you get on someone elses level? What are some steps you can take to help reverse the effect division has set up for us? How can we help be the change? 

Prayer:

Allow us to be more open to other’s feelings. Show us how to get on the levels of people we dont understand. Keep our hearts fully focused on you and enter these situations prepared to show love. In Jesus name. -Amen.