Loving Others
By Tracy Smith
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
A couple of years ago, while on Facebook, I came across a video about a middle school football team who plotted and planned to help one of their teammates score a touchdown. [1] This teammate had special needs. In some schools, he may have been the object of bullying - - and maybe this boy had been in the past, or is dealing with bullies in other areas of school - - but not on his football team. These friends cared enough about him to plan something so amazing for him.
The plan went like this: His teammates got the ball as close to the goal line as possible. In the next play, they gave him the ball and surrounded him to protect him from the defense and ran with him across the goal line. TOUCHDOWN!
As touching as that was, it was the interviews with the boys on the team that brought tears to my eyes. One boy had tears tracking down his cheeks because he had not thought of the plan. He talked about how he had changed from someone who only cared about himself to someone who cared about everyone. What a life-changing lesson these young men learned!
The Lord wants us to care about everyone - - not just those we see as "popular" or who are worth our caring. He also wants us to care for others - - not just when it's easy, but even when it's hard. Philippians 2:4 tells us to intentionally look to the interests of others. In John 13:34-35 (NIV), Jesus says, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Jesus wants us to be known by how we love.
May we be like the young men in this school. May we be those who are kind and care about everyone; who love.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there someone in your life who could use some encouragement? If so, what can you do to make him or her feel special?
FURTHER READING:
Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.
