Loving your enemies.

In light of recent world happenings, I find this quote to be fairly appropriate. There is a misquoted version of it floating around on the internet, containing this addendum: "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy." Although those are not truly the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., it's a thought that we should all give consideration to before we go around blowing up our facebook statuses and inner circles with vindictive spirits. Love is powerful, I do believe that.

"Why should we love our enemies? The first reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiples toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says "Love your enemies," he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies— or else? The chain reaction of evil— hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars— must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." - Strength to Love, Chapter 5, Part II; Martin Luther King, Jr.