Children Quote by Mark Labberton
““Each of us is a child of parents, perhaps a sibling to someone, a friend to friends, a colleague to coworkers. Following Jesus starts here. It starts with learning to see these people again for the first time, now visible to us anew as we learn to see them as made and loved by God, see their lives whole and seek their flourishing. This typically brings us face-to-face with the challenges of our vocation. We don’t see people this way when they’re annoying to us or clearly self-interested or rejecting us and our faith or failing to do their share of the work. Right there, in the midst of ordinary life, we face the gritty task of following Jesus by learning to love and serve those at our doorstep. This will be true throughout our lives as disciples. We will never be called to do less than this. And sometimes this is the hardest part of all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Spiritual Formation, Mark Labberton, 2015
Seeing everyone as loved by God transforms how we relate, especially when they challenge us, calling us to love and serve in everyday life.
In simple terms: Treat all people as God‑loved, even difficult ones.
Key Takeaway
Love and serve everyone, especially the hard‑to‑love.
Themes
service
love
discipleship
vocation
challenge
Mood
reflective
hopeful
serious
Type
inspirational
theological
When to use this quote
- church ministry
- family relationships
- workplace dynamics
- neighbourhood outreach
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
theology
incarnation
community
humility
self‑sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice love toward a hostile coworker?
- What habits help you see God’s image in strangers?
A Different Perspective
It can be emotionally draining to love those who reject or harm us.
