"Feeling the Love"
John 15:13New King James Version (NKJV)
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Yes it was just 15 years ago this evening I found myself in the hospital. No it wasn't because I was sick or had a problem. Instead it was because of something else. Something amazing which I only had experienced but one other time before. This was a little different than the previous time only because it was the birth of my son, Caleb. I was there for just the second time, at this point, to witness the birth of my first son after having a beautiful little girl.
Many thoughts flood over me when Valentines Day rolls around. The greatest would have to be the day when my oldest son was born. He is not much of a baby anymore towering at 5'-8" wearing a size 12 men's shoes. The hardest thing though is not seeing his smiling face or hearing his quirky goofiness as the miracle of life can be tainted by the tragedy of divorce.
I would do anything for my kids. I have held them when they were young. I have blessed them both in good times and bad. I have celebrated their life and not a day goes by where I don't think about them. I have even fought for their best interests and would even lay down my life for them.
Have you ever found yourself saying that you would die for someone? Maybe it is a spouse, a close friend, a child with a disability or simply your child who has experienced a traumatic thing. When things are good it is so easy to say that you would die for someone, but what happens when you have been beaten down or worse yet lay your life down for a loved one who has rejected you, denied you, and spit in your face? Can you love that person enough to be accused and blamed for something you didn't do and be punished as a result?
Is it really worth it?
There have been days I have asked that same question after going into court time and again, being beaten down, having everything taken away then taunted by the emotions and hateful accusations of the one one you have resolved to put your life down for. I have had to reflect back on things and my answer is always the same, without a shadow of doubt I would put my life on the line for my kids. They are worth everything I can give or do for them because they are the future of what God can do through them for His glory.
Last weekend my church celebrated their 5 year anniversary. So at bible study we talked about all the things God has done through our church and what things could happen in the next 5 years. We went further and started talking about leaving a legacy. As I sat and listened I thought about a particular person who ended up giving up their life for others and how she impacted so many people over the last several decades. Here is just a bit of her story.
On August 26, 1910 a baby girl was born in Skopje, which was part of Albania. Her parents gave her the name Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Now Agnes was fascinated with missions and missionaries from a young age. What she didn't know was how pivotal she would be to the lives of so many. In her early years she left home and devoted herself to the church. She became a nun and got to live her dream serving as a missionary in India. What she realized was the pull that she had was to save as many people as she could from poverty and death. She ended up living on the streets with those who where poor and risking her life and health for just another person.
As others saw what she was doing the joined her vision. Some brought aid others recognized her for her accomplishments and yet because of her resolve was nominated and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
What Mother Teresa found out was your life is worth laying down for another. She could have so easily said that the task was too hard or questioned if it were worth the cost. The reality is she showed love by laying down her life for others, sacrificing the desires we all have and valuing people as God's creation.
Likewise Christ did the same thing. He laid down His life for you. Just like the mean things said to me or about me from my kids and my resolve to love them unconditionally so did Christ while we were still sinners. We have said those words I hate you, rejected His good plan for use and have even thought we knew what was best for us, but He still loved us without condition and gave His life while we didn't really even know Him.
So when times are rough in your marriage, in the relationship with your kids, with a boss or coworker or the demanding of a parent, ask yourself "Are you feeling the love?" If you can answer no because someone has hurt you then ask yourself if you think the other person is feeling the love. Chances are that they don't either. Be that friend who will love God upwardly, love yourself inwardly and love others completely.
Our lives are a reflection of God's love in a much bigger picture.
CAL
