Day 16: “The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:14
Jesus modeled this: “Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. “God so loved the world that he gave….” Love means giving up—yielding my preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy, or time for the benefit of someone else.
When life on earth is ending, people don’t surround themselves with objects. What we want around us is people—people we love and have relationships with. In our final moments, we all realize that relationships are what life is all about. Wisdom is learning that truth sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until you’re on your deathbed to figure out that nothing matters more.
Why is now the best time to express love? Because you don’t know how long you will have the opportunity. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. If you want to express love, you had better do it now. Knowing that one day you will stand before God, here are some questions you need to consider: How will you explain those times when projects or things were more important to you than people? Who do you need to start spending more time with?
What do you need to cut out of your schedule to make that possible? What sacrifices do you need to make? The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.
excerpts: Purpose Driven
This hits me now. Who likes to prioritize others at this time? I would honestly admit, I prioritize myself most of the time, my desires, my preferences, and my wants. Too selfish right? But most of us are like that, our society teaches us to value ourselves more than others, unlike Jesus.
I remember my nephew always want me to watch with him every single night, he would really pull me out of the room and he would really get mad when I'm not focusing on the show we were watching. Sometimes I didn't want to go and he cries so badly, and I get irritated because I thought it was just a show. Forgetting the short time I would spend with him would be remarkable when he grows up. Forgetting he won't be like that tomorrow and he wouldn't want me anymore to watch with him.
Most of us think we always have tomorrow to show how much we love a person. Most of us value our career goals more than good relationships. Thus, the gift of presence isn't for everyone. We are to catch up on many things going around here and many things to accomplish. We have this tomorrow mentality like I would help that person if... or I would love that person if... too many conditions because we are self-centered individuals.
Jesus' ways aren't easy to live by right? I know because I fail also most of the time. Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at the moment. I've met different people who love Jesus, who chooses to wash other people's feet behind the curtain. Who never waited for attention and spotlight. Who never waited for a perfect time to throw themselves and help others.
We can always look to Jesus for how he shows his love for everyone, he gave himself. We don't need to go up in the high mountain to show our love for others, it's simply showing up to the people who are around us; our family, our friends, our churchmates, and the community we belong. Our relationships are also blessing from him thus we should be good stewards of them. Being surrounded by people who deeply love you for who you are is more precious than gold.
May we become the reason why someone feels safe, loved, seen, and valued. In a society that strives for popularity over humanity, individuality over the community, superiority over humility, conflict over tranquility, and hate over love.
May we have the pleasing aroma of Christ.
Let's pursue Jesus and His ways. Take heart! By His grace, we will make it!
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing he decieves himself.
Galatians 6:3
So then, as we have oppurtunity, let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6: 10
Therefore be immitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was form of God, did not count equally with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of servant being born in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:3-7
