This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:12-13
John 15:12-13
Jesus literally laid down His life for us, his friends. He tells us there is no greater love than that...laying your life down for your friends. Will most of us ever really have the opportunity to literally lay down our life for a friend, maybe jump in front of a bullet or step in front of a moving car to push a friend out of harms way and take the hit ourselves? Maybe, it's possible. It can and does happen sometimes & I can honestly say I'd do it. Most of us would, for the right person.
But could we possibly read further into what Jesus is saying about this kind of love to interpret what He is saying as the same kind of (laying down our life) dying to self he calls us to do for Him. His children know what He means when He says we must die to ourselves to live for Him. He simply means that we put His will, His law and His plans before our own. We put our desire to always be seeking our own comfort, safety or pleasure to death in order to have real life...fulfilling life. When we are the center of our own universe, our pursuit for those things is unquenchable. We never reach a point where we are content. It is only in living for Him and being a part of what He is doing in our world that we find contentment.
So how do we truly love our friends and family with that "no greater" kind of love, laying our own lives down for them? I am still figuring it out...learning, practicing, and growing in that area. I have a long way to go.
But I have a friend who has it figured out. She lives it. She loves me and my family with that "no greater" kind of love. I tell her we are moving to Enid and she says, "When will you be there? I am coming to help you unpack and decorate." {and she won't take no for an answer.} I tell her that Shelby has chosen to get baptized and she says, "When and where? We are coming. There is no way we are gonna miss her big day." I think she visited us 5 times in the 2 years we lived in Phoenix, once driving the entire way with her 3 kiddos. Forgetting her 'to do' list, her schedule, her lifestyle, she lays it all down whenever she can be a part of our life. She does it willingly and it is truly her desire to be a help and a blessing to us. No strings, no expectations. I don't get her. Don't get me wrong. I know her almost as well as I know myself, I just don't get that kind of love completely yet. I want to, though. I have good intentions, and I succeed about half of the time in putting my friends and family before myself, but that ain't a "no greater" kind of love.
But could we possibly read further into what Jesus is saying about this kind of love to interpret what He is saying as the same kind of (laying down our life) dying to self he calls us to do for Him. His children know what He means when He says we must die to ourselves to live for Him. He simply means that we put His will, His law and His plans before our own. We put our desire to always be seeking our own comfort, safety or pleasure to death in order to have real life...fulfilling life. When we are the center of our own universe, our pursuit for those things is unquenchable. We never reach a point where we are content. It is only in living for Him and being a part of what He is doing in our world that we find contentment.
So how do we truly love our friends and family with that "no greater" kind of love, laying our own lives down for them? I am still figuring it out...learning, practicing, and growing in that area. I have a long way to go.
But I have a friend who has it figured out. She lives it. She loves me and my family with that "no greater" kind of love. I tell her we are moving to Enid and she says, "When will you be there? I am coming to help you unpack and decorate." {and she won't take no for an answer.} I tell her that Shelby has chosen to get baptized and she says, "When and where? We are coming. There is no way we are gonna miss her big day." I think she visited us 5 times in the 2 years we lived in Phoenix, once driving the entire way with her 3 kiddos. Forgetting her 'to do' list, her schedule, her lifestyle, she lays it all down whenever she can be a part of our life. She does it willingly and it is truly her desire to be a help and a blessing to us. No strings, no expectations. I don't get her. Don't get me wrong. I know her almost as well as I know myself, I just don't get that kind of love completely yet. I want to, though. I have good intentions, and I succeed about half of the time in putting my friends and family before myself, but that ain't a "no greater" kind of love.
So what is the deal with the freaky red-headed bouffant plantation princess, you are no doubt wondering?
My friend, my beautiful, amazing, thoughtful, full-of-surprises, friend bought her for me. The thing is, there is a story behind her. When my friend was visiting the week after we arrived in Enid, we saw Ruby at the Hope thrift store {my all time fav. as you know}. I wanted her so bad, (i am a vintage junkie) but I had been spending too much money on my retro decor that week and I couldn't justify the extra $3 or $5. [whatever] I should have just gotten her! But, I didn't. I just pined for her over and over and left her on the shelf. After my friend went home, I told Shelby about this amazing doll I saw at Hope and she, of course, wanted to see her, so we hopped in the van and drove there and I promised her that if Ruby was still there, we'd get her. She wasn't. We were both majorly bummed. No clue, didn't even cross my mind that my sneaky little friend had some tricks up her sleeve. That rascal bought her for me and brought her this weekend. I am crying as I type this. Crazy, I know, but just knowing that someone loves me so much to secretly go buy something {a silly red-headed doll} I was really wanting and then keep it for a few months before bringing it to me makes my heart want to explode. It really is the small things...a $3 or $5 antique Ruby doll...for me. wow.
I love Ruby! And I love Jenn. I have never known anyone like her. Imperfect, just like me, but so full of love. So full of grace. So full of "no greater" love. She has put my {and many others} needs & even wants before her own as long as I have known her. Her time, her life is not her own.
I love this lady. I am proud to call her friend and I can only pray that one day I will show her the "no greater" love she has always shown me. Thank you, sister!
