"Because you're worth it!"

Yesterday's mail brought a gift from my daughter. She sent me a book she had read, wanting to share her discovery of Gordon Fee's scholarship with her Dad. She also enclosed a card that expressed her affection. I loved it! And you know why, right? Because it was a genuine expression of love that made me feel valued and appreciated. We all want that. Last Sunday I went to conduct a worship service at a home for aged people. My son and his wife went along. Yes, the residents there appreciated the songs and the Scripture lesson, but as Jay observed, "Dad, when I just asked them their name and talked with with them for a minute, it was like I gave them an expensive gift!" Jay and Lindsay, by taking time to visit with people they didn't even know, were communicating, "We care about you, you're valuable."

Believer, our calling in this world is to be like Christ. One of the primary ways we do that is to love others. The Bible says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NKJV) Believer, this is God's commission to us! We don't have to literally die for others, but in learning to love, we will have to set aside our schedules and our convenience, becoming aware of the needs of those with whom we interact. The true needs of the people with whom we interact isn't always obvious from their words. We have to learn to listen for the sub-text, for the message revealed by their face, their sigh- the clues are many!

Many people really just want us to acknowledge that they exist and that we care for them. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But it is not! All kinds of things conspire to keep us from loving others: the busy pace of life, concern for our own needs, fatigue, selfishness, fear ... to name a few. For example - as you hurried in the coffee shop today, did you take time to make eye contact with the server, to say, "Thank you," and mean it? If you didn't, most likely it isn't because you have malice towards that person. You were in a hurry, thinking about beating traffic and getting to work, right? As you left your home, did you take time to seek out your spouse or your kids and bless their day, give a hug or a kiss? If you did, you said, "I care about you." Once again, if you didn't, it probably wasn't because of any real lack of concern, but rather your focus elsewhere.

If we would become people who add value to the lives of others, we will have to train ourselves to listen, to empathize, to care. God will help us, for that kind of love pleases Him. We only have to pray, "Lord, teach me to love as you love. Open my eyes and ears to the needs of people around me." He will, and as He does, prepare to learn to ache. It is costly to care. When we begin to really take note of the people around us, we start to see the pain in so many lives. We will not brush past people protected by the blinders of self-interest.

Here's a word from the Word. It's a familiar story, but read it prayerfully, carefully - and invite the Spirit to stir up a new concern for others in you.

“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits.
They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “
By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (Luke 10:30-37, NLT)

Let's do God work in the world- loving others. Should they ask why, let's just simply say, "Because you're worth it!"
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"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another,
for love comes from God.
Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8, NLT)