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We often think of "laying down
your life" for someone else in terms of dying. That's what Jesus did. He
loved us so much He laid down His life by dying in our place so that we
could live.
But now, He's asked us to lay down our lives in a
different way. He's asked us to show our love, not by dying for others,
but by living for them.
Exactly what does that mean?
Sometimes
it means giving our lives by spending time in prayer for someone. Other
times it means giving of ourselves with love and understanding. Many
times it means laying down our own selfish desires in order to meet the
needs of another.
Romans 15:1 puts it this way, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
When
you lay down your life, you live to please God instead of yourself. You
let your life be guided by His love. If love leads you to the person
next door, you follow. When love calls you to intercede for someone in
need, you yield.
Commit yourself today to lay down your own life—and take up the love life. Say:
"Father,
in Jesus' Name, I see from Your Word that You were willing to give of
Yourself, in the person of Your Son, for all men. I understand that
because Jesus is Lord of my life, I, too, am called to give myself to
others. I choose to accept that calling today.
"I'll give of my
time. I'll give of Your love in me. I'll be strong and lift up those who
are weak. I'm willing to be available to be used of You so that those
around me might experience the abundant life You have provided.
"You
have loved me, Lord, with the greatest love there is. I count it a
privilege now to share that love with others. I thank You for it in
Jesus' Name. Amen."
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