A favorite scripture is from Jeremiah 29:7, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.” Rev. J. Matthew Barnes writes about the Christian duty to serve those in our community, even when they differ from us.
In his conclusion he says, “We are called to inhabit communities we do not control, seek the flourishing of people who may not share our convictions, and make the love of Christ visible through the ordinary practices of our lives. We are sent to show holy love in public.”