Learning to Shift in Love
- Stephan Kirby - Ekklesia
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
From Position to Perspective: Learning to Shift in Love
Gm Ekklesia Family
John 4:9-10 (NLT) – “The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, ‘You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?’ Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to…’”
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) – “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Two people are standing on opposite sides of the same figure. One sees a 6, the other sees a 9. Both are technically right—from where they’re standing.
As the quote wisely puts it:
“Just because you're right doesn't mean I'm wrong. You just haven't seen life from my position.”
But oh, how many...
Marriages crumble,
Churches split,
Friendships sour,
Nations go to war—not over truth, but over unwillingness to shift long enough to see what the other person sees.
The Easy Solution?
“Let me come around to your side for a moment and see what you see.”
But here’s the challenge:
Pride says: “If I move, it looks like I’m conceding, and people will laugh at me!”
Ego says: “If I try to understand you, I’m admitting I might be wrong, then people will laugh at me!”
The enemy of unity says: “Stay where you are. Defend your position at all costs. if not, people will laugh at you!”
Yet Jesus—in John 4—crossed over every barrier of position, tradition, gender, ethnicity, and religious pride to say to a Samaritan woman, “Let’s have a conversation.”He didn’t come to win a debate. He came to win a soul.
Kingdom Application for Ekklesia
In the body of Christ, we’re not called to win arguments—we’re called to win people.We’re not called to prove our view—but to pursue truth together in love.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT):
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Romans 12:18 (NLT):
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
What if we humbled ourselves just enough to walk around the 6/9?
We might just find that understanding isn’t surrender. It’s strength. It’s love. It’s Christ-like. And you will discover that wherever you stand, the number still has value.
Lord, help us take one step from our position, not to prove someone wrong—but to build a bridge of understanding. Kill pride. Heal division. And teach us to see with grace. Amen.
If this devotion stirred your heart, maybe today is the day to take a step—not just toward another’s perspective, but toward Jesus, who already took every step toward you.
Come walk with Him. He sees you fully. Let’s grow together at Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries—a church where healing, humility, and hope are part of the mission.
LoveUmorethanUknow
Stephan
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