I have been meditating on the scripture John 15:13″Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
For most of my Christian walk I normally heard this scripture in reference to die for another Like Christ died on the cross for us and laid his life down for us. Yes I know that is part of it but I believe there is so much more to this. Have you ever had a family member or a friend that was really sick or hurt. They can’t get out of bed or they broke a leg or arm and they needed extra help for a while? What about someone that just came out of a long relationship and they just don’t feel like they can go on? What did you do in those situations? Did you try to avoid them so that your life wouldn’t be inconvenienced, Or did you stop everything extra in your life to help them? What about if their life was spiraling out of control in the path of alcoholism or drugs?
I know that most parents drop everything if their child is sick, no matter how sick they are. Their love for their children is unconditional and they know the need. They know that the child needs to be taken care of so they can get better no matter if it is inconvenient for their sleep or when they have to go to work etc. They have a truly deep Love for their child and that is all that matters.
Love is an action word! not a feeling that can be tossed to and fro. It is being patient when things might take longer then you want it to, its forgiving when you may not want to, it is tossing aside the thought of a past mistake against you (no record of wrongs). Laying down time to relax to help someone in need get better. Taking the time to truly pray for someone instead of just saying you will.
I say to Lay One’s Life down for a friend is so much more then jumping in front of a bullet or to die instead of them. Yes those are amazing thing if it ever comes up in your life to do so. I believe to give someone your time is one of the biggest ways you can show you love them.
I recently was lead to lay down my life for a month for a friend, she had broken bones in her legs and she had to be no weight barring for a while then partial weight barring and now she is able to get around with a cane. I went and stayed at her house,ran errands for her, took care of her dog and even though I still had to work which was an hour away so I spent at least two hours everyday in the car. Then when she was able to come home I would cook her meals if I was there or prepare some for her ahead of time if I was working. I counted everyday of being able to help her in her time of need a pleasure. I don’t say this to boast but to give you an idea that Laying your life down is an honor and amazing way to show love.
God is calling all of us World Racers to Lay our lives down in a Bigger way! We are leaving our Family, Friends, Jobs, Homes, Cars,etc. To pursue God and all he has for us to go into the world and to Love, to share the truth of the gospel, to help in the needs of the community. We will be learning to Love Greater then we have ever before. I believe God leading me to help my friend was preparation for me leaving my life of luxury to live a life of Reckless abandon to the Lord to love his people everyday. This is my question to you how much will you lay down your life for a friend now? how much more would you become the Love God wants you to be in this earth? Are you ready to have a greater Love for people or is your stuff, your hanging out, going to movies etc. more important. I am not saying that hanging out and movies are bad just are they taking the place of Loving on people and sharing God’s love. Are they in place of helping a friend in need?
I leave you with this “Greater Love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13
