It's a common character we see all over both in pop culture and in real life—the person who always seems to have it all together. This person is also, incidentally, someone you're insanely jealous of. Never a hair out of place. Always with something witty to add to a conversation. One of those people you wish would look ugly when he or she is upset but never does.

In our culture we tend to root for the underdog, the person who is just like us. A bit of a mess. Can't seem to quit making mistakes. Never says the right thing. When we see a stereotypical underdog our sense of justice and equality for all rears its head and we hope with all our heart the underdog beats out all odds and finds happiness, fulfilment, and contentment.

But hoping the proud and the perfect will fall on their faces isn't exactly what Jesus mandated for our lives—in fact His instructions are quite the opposite. Throughout the New Testament you'll find Jesus' words: Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Mark 12:31-33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). And even the Old Testament teaches this concept “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18). You wouldn't wish bad to befall yourself, so why wish it upon someone else?

When we begin to love our neighbours we're also fulfilling Jesus' command for us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who bully us (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:27-35). And when we begin to love our enemies, we end up looking a bit closer at who they are.

Life is never so simple as good and evil is it? For, when we look beyond the surface of these perfect people in our lives (who we love to hate) we often discover cracks. The cracks lead us to realize these people are more like us than we care to admit…the secret is we have to look past the first few layers.

I don't know about you but some of my best friendships were formed from situations beginning with misconceptions and misunderstandings. I'm so grateful people in my life have taken the time to look beneath the surface, to think the best of me, and I hope I can repay the kindness by practicing this principle with my neighbours.