Food for Thought
This page is dedicated to providing some spiritual content for our campers and staff. Arrowhead directors will occassionally post new information to ponder. We want to encourage you to grow in your faith by providing a passage of scripture, a thought or challenge to consider and talk about with others. Dig in!
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Greater Love
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love... 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:9, 12-13)
I recently heard this scripture again during a sermon, after having researched it years ago while in seminary. These verses have always been a favorite of mine and what I term my “life verse,” or the verses that I want to live my life according to. The verses speak to Christ’s love for us just as God, Christ’s Father, has loved Him and also to the sacrifice of Christ’s life for us, His beloved children and followers.
Many of history’s best selling novels and blockbuster movies involve the theme of undying love and personal sacrifice. It’s because these themes are central to our own lives and speak to us personally that love and sacrifice stir so much emotion and devotion. Oprah’s recent TV show the “Big Give” pitted contestants against each other in an effort to give the biggest and walk away triumphantly as the biggest giver. To my amazement the contestants were never promised a winning prize, only the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. They were challenged to give of themselves…unselfishly, lovingly and sacrificially.
In my heart of hearts I know that my command is to give sacrificially and love others as God loves me…but, that is a very difficult task. How am I supposed to love the guy that cuts me off on the highway or slanders my name for his own benefit? How am I supposed to love someone that doesn’t recognize their own hurtful nature that causes me pain?
I have already answered my own question by referring you to my “life verse.” I must love these personal offenders as God has loved me. Ouch, that is a difficult task. As difficult as this is, I have to get over my own pride and love others as God has loved me…sacrificially and unconditionally. Does this happen overnight? For me, no, that’s not likely. But with prayer and God’s timing, it will happen. Christ has given us His promise concerning that matter…
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
