Naturally, we see things from our perspective, and it takes a lot of maturity to realize not everyone sees the world in the same way we do. In fact, part of our practice to love is to learn to walk a mile or two in the shoes of others. We cannot adequately love without our empathy and understanding fully intact.
To be sure, we’re entitled to our own point of view. And empathy doesn’t require us to give up the things important to us. It serves no one when we’re so accommodating to other perspectives that we lose our own. And beauty comes when we allow our different approaches to dance with each other.
But, while holding on to our perspective, love often calls us to enter the world of others and try to see things from their point of view. This is what Christ demonstrated in the Incarnation, and the Apostle Paul through his work of ministry.
Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes is not to suggest their way is right. It might indeed be unquestionably wrong. But to empathize is still to try and see if we can understand where they might be coming from.
For instance, we might not agree with our wife’s anger. And we might even objectively make the case that it’s misplaced and unwarranted. But love still calls us to connect with her heart. Albeit for different reasons, we understand what it’s like to get angry ourselves. And this becomes our starting point to understanding her anger. While the particulars are surely different, do we get angry for similar kinds of reasons?
Whatever it looks like, practicing empathy allows us to better love each other. We’re no longer demanding, dismissive, or merely pushing our own agenda. But now resting in our shared humanity we can spur each other on toward love and good works.
In the end, your perspective matters. But learn to walk a mile in the shoes of others to love them as Christ has loved us.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
