Let’s face it — sometimes it’s hard to love people who are nothing like us.

And honestly? People seem to be getting weirder. They dress weird, act weird, believe weird things, and broadcast their weirdness boldly across social media. So how could I ever love them the way Jesus loved me?

Maybe I never will — at least not on my own.

Maybe I can’t manufacture that kind of love. Maybe love is the fruit of His Spirit working deep inside my heart. Maybe God’s love isn’t just meant to fill me — it’s meant to funnel through me to others!

Yes. God’s love to me. God’s love in me. And then God’s love through me.

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:12 NLT

The only way this happens is if His love is growing inside me — the kind of love Paul describes as fruit of the Spirit. I don’t inherently possess that kind of love. It’s not something I can conjure up or work up. I need His love to make it possible.

And here’s the beautiful process: my lack reaches out to His abundance.

That means it’s never about me trying harder. It’s about asking — asking for God’s love to grow stronger in me, and then releasing it to flow freely through me to the people around me. Even the weird ones. Especially the weird ones.

So here’s the real question: Are we a funnel — or a sponge?

Do we soak up all of God’s love for ourselves, hoarding it like a comfort we’ve earned? Or do we intentionally let it flow outward — channeling His grace and compassion to people who desperately need it?

Let’s ask God to prune whatever is blocking the flow. Let’s invite Him to do the deep work — because when His love moves through us, the fruit is extraordinary!

Be the funnel, not the sponge. The world is waiting.