Lay It Down
By Jen Wollner
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
1 John 3:16
By Jen Wollner
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
1 John 3:16
A tsunami in Indonesia…hurricane in New Orleans…earthquake in Haiti.
Each of these events were destructive and devastating…homes demolished, lives lost, dreams stolen, hope shattered. But, one silver lining in each of these events was the way that people from around the world came together to help those who were suffering. Billions of dollars in aid were generously donated and countless hours of manpower joyfully sacrificed to rescue survivors and rebuild these three areas of the world. It’s amazing how so many individuals are willing to step up to provide for those who are in the most desperate of need…even for those whom they will never meet face-to-face.
Overall, we’re very willing to put time or money aside to help a large-scale need, especially one that gets a lot of press. But, what about smaller needs and those not so well-publicized? Are we willing to take a few minutes out of our day to help a neighbor shovel her driveway? Will we sacrifice time and money to take a meal to a family in the midst of a medical crisis? What about the woman in our Bible study who’s walking through a valley…will we find a way to encourage her in her pain?
These kinds of needs are harder to spot…they won’t be broadcast on the local news or advertised in the papers. We have to be paying attention to find these opportunities and we have to cultivate relationships with those around us in order to know their needs. It takes time. It takes perseverance. It takes love. It takes laying down our very lives for someone else. Are we willing to intentionally invest in others? Will we leave a margin in our calendars and budgets to do so?
Meeting a need for someone thousands of miles away is a noble and worthy deed…and much needed, given the poverty and heartache around the world…but let’s not ignore the Lord’s prompting for us to walk across the room or the street, too. Let’s “be Jesus” to those He has put on the path of our daily lives!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of one person in your life in whom you could invest more time and energy. What would you need to sacrifice to build that relationship?
FURTHER READING:
John 15:13
Each of these events were destructive and devastating…homes demolished, lives lost, dreams stolen, hope shattered. But, one silver lining in each of these events was the way that people from around the world came together to help those who were suffering. Billions of dollars in aid were generously donated and countless hours of manpower joyfully sacrificed to rescue survivors and rebuild these three areas of the world. It’s amazing how so many individuals are willing to step up to provide for those who are in the most desperate of need…even for those whom they will never meet face-to-face.
Overall, we’re very willing to put time or money aside to help a large-scale need, especially one that gets a lot of press. But, what about smaller needs and those not so well-publicized? Are we willing to take a few minutes out of our day to help a neighbor shovel her driveway? Will we sacrifice time and money to take a meal to a family in the midst of a medical crisis? What about the woman in our Bible study who’s walking through a valley…will we find a way to encourage her in her pain?
These kinds of needs are harder to spot…they won’t be broadcast on the local news or advertised in the papers. We have to be paying attention to find these opportunities and we have to cultivate relationships with those around us in order to know their needs. It takes time. It takes perseverance. It takes love. It takes laying down our very lives for someone else. Are we willing to intentionally invest in others? Will we leave a margin in our calendars and budgets to do so?
Meeting a need for someone thousands of miles away is a noble and worthy deed…and much needed, given the poverty and heartache around the world…but let’s not ignore the Lord’s prompting for us to walk across the room or the street, too. Let’s “be Jesus” to those He has put on the path of our daily lives!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of one person in your life in whom you could invest more time and energy. What would you need to sacrifice to build that relationship?
FURTHER READING:
John 15:13
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and five. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
