Messengers of Love
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends." Sometimes, it seems God asks the nearly
impossible; His standards being so high that the average week
kneed, belly aching, fearful person could never obtain ...
defeating ourselves even before we've begun. Perhaps we don't
listen carefully to what He said.
Jesus didn't say we had to "give up" our lives, like victims
with a gun pointing to our head. It's rare that anyone actually
faces a life or death situation to protect a friend (aside from
war).
What Jesus actually did mean was to lay our life down
willfully, dying to self to meet a greater need - which only
counts when done in love.
When a phone call comes at 2:00 a.m. where the distraught
seeking counseling, put aside your need of rest.
When you have in mind a shopping spree except you see another
without shoes, consider their need first.
When you've planned a getaway weekend but your friend has
emergency surgery, a house full of children, and no one to care
for them - put off your plans.
When someone's house burns down and they've no place to go, lay
down your inconvenience to offer temporary shelter.
When you're hungry after a worship service but the church bus
breaks down (leaving children no way home), put your need on
hold.
When someone you love needs your love, lay down your life. Love
them as Jesus has loved you (vs. 12). And, even when they're not
your best friend, Jesus is.
We don't have to meet every need in the universe, just the ones
Jesus asks of us (vs. 14). We can all do those. Once we discover
how wonderful it is to be messengers of love, we're eager to
serve God more, Ac. 20:35.