We are at a time in our world, with technology, politics, social media and “everything else going on in the world”, where we sometimes don’t know what’s true or what isn’t. Very “loud” conflicts are happening with people on each side claiming the people on the other side are disseminating fake news. The “noise” level is so loud, that it can be very easy to not know what to believe or who to believe.

Now, in a “seeming” change of topic, at last count, there are more than 7.3 billion people on this planet. Of these 7,300,000,000 people, there are no two who are exactly alike. Because we’re different, because we’ve experienced different things in life – all through our life, we, therefore, have experienced different experiences, met different role models, mentors and teachers, felt different feelings, and thought different thoughts about and through all our lives. I mention this, because there are no two people who believe 100% exactly the same in all things of life. So, therefore, all 7.3 billion of us believe different things to be either true or false.

We may not know what is true, but so what. Our own dogged search for the truth via our seeking it from God can be chosen or not chosen per our own freewill.  7.3 billion people believe different things are true. Throughout all of mankind’s history, this has never been the actual source of the problem – beliefs being different. Having different beliefs has always been the way life is, anyway. It’s not a problem, because it’s not the cause of problems. Believing different things are true, is not a problem.

The problem is with how we relate to our beliefs, and therefore, motivate our own actions. In other words, what do we do with our beliefs? What actions do we take regarding our beliefs?

This is where problems arise. With different beliefs, do we choose to bring forth cooperation with others or do we choose to create conflict with others? Do we use our beliefs about what is true or not true to feel an underlying compassion for others or instead an underlying condemning of others? Do we use our beliefs to bring pain and suffering into people’s lives, or do we use our beliefs to motivate us to offer mercy, understanding and tolerance?

The issue is not what we believe, but what we do with our beliefs. Our actions and behaviors – how we relate and respond to others – determines how we walk in this world. It’s possible to believe exactly opposite than someone else, but with both people choosing for themselves to be kind, tolerant and compassionate, there will come to be peace and respect among them. We know people in our lives now, who believe differently than we do, but because they choose to show kindness, respect and patience, we enjoy their company. And there are people in our lives who we may believe so very similar, but yet they choose their behaviors towards others in such a way that we can’t wait to leave the room when they’re in it.

How do we use our beliefs? To help build separation and animosity, or to help build mercy and unity? We can profess to have the highest of beliefs, and even believe that “we know the truth”, but our behaviors and actions will speak more truth than our mind will hold or our mouth will speak. Our behaviors can become so loud, that no one can hear what we profess, anymore.

Actions speak louder than words, and our actions that we demonstrate – loving kindness or condemning judgment – are what shows how we relate to this world full of people. It is truly possible that billions of people can live in peace… and even with different beliefs.

Still, you may believe differently than this, …

and God bless you for it.

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“We have eternity to work this out.” Jesus Christ

“Everything broken can be fixed. Every mess can be cleaned up.  Everything separated can be rejoined.” Jesus Christ

“With God, all things are possible.” Jesus Christ