That little furry face and pointy ears make bats appear cute… until they open their mouths!

Those razor sharp teeth are not built for smiling. Bats were made to help keep the insect population in check and seed the forest. Fifteen percent of them carry the deadly rabies virus. Scratches and even breathing the air from sick bats can make a person fatally ill. They’re not quite an enemy, but it’s accurate to not call them friends.

God knows that people can be like skittish bats. He knows some are more prone to biting.

Yet, Jesus says, “Love your enemies. Love those who have terribly hurt you with what they’ve said and done.”

God knows the deep misunderstandings that cause some people to not see the world the same as you do. He knows the mistreatment they’ve suffered that causes them to bare their teeth. God’s heart hurts for them, and for you, as you suffer the effects of their burden of hatred and as the weight of their anger wears away at your joy.

We need God’s help to look beyond the fangs of our enemies. As we view them from God’s perspective, understanding will bring us empathy and, ultimately, love.

We need that, as much as they do.