Go the Distance

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12 & 13.

I have pondered this scripture many times. I have prayed for understanding about loving our brother, especially in times when our “brother” treats us with less compassion and generosity than the world does. Yes, it happens to all of us I suspect. Our hearts are crushed when we discover that friendship means little to ones we thought we had bonded with.

My dilemma lies in figuring out the balance between expectations and grace when it comes to friendship. That’s tough isn’t it? I am one who doesn’t like the “change of seasons” when it comes to relationships. I always expect it to be a never ending mutual commitment. I am not good at seeing my investment crash in the stock market of love.

I believe that laying down our lives for our friends encompasses many different things. Genuine love requires investment, and some are better at it than others. As an author I have been taught to show, not tell. This is how we truly communicate our story to others, showing that they matter - showing that we are willing to go the distance with them. This is the true example of laying down our lives.

Christ’s example of love is our model. He always looked into the eyes of his brothers and saw them. Looking away from our friends doesn’t take any sacrifice – investment does. Let us lay down our lives by taking time to see those God has given us to love. Let us go the distance.