It’s the day after Valentine’s Day. Gifts have been exchanged, feelings have been confessed and time has been spent with our loved ones. The sugar high has mellowed out and the hearts in our eyes have returned to regular pupils. It feels good to love on the ones that we cherish the most and to bask in the feeling that comes most natural to us humans. No matter how you celebrated this American holiday, we are curious to know how deep is your love for your people?
So many of us can attest to the feeling of a love so deep for our family and friends that we are willing to sacrifice our own safety and happiness to ensure theirs is protected. It didn’t matter the mission, our love for others has overridden convenience, embarrassment, and criticism. Our thought process is that we are willing to go through hell and high water to provide for the people we love. “They are my people. I have to come through for them because I love them.” “It must be me.” “If no one else will do it, I will.” These words and similar have been used to motivate us as we push forward on behalf of others; a selfless act that allows us to count the cost for our loved ones.
To be selfless in the face of adversity can be seen as the greatest form of love. We know this to be absolutely true because we’ve read about how our Savior, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself on our behalf. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34) Even in the face of death, our Savior still thought of His people. His safety and comfort was of no consideration for himself nor on the ones who looked to make Him suffer. And yet, the love He had for us was still on His lips and in His heart. The love God has for us runs deep. It’s the purest form of love that we will ever experience and all that is asked of us is to give Him a chance.
While we consider the acts of love that we perform for those around us, let us take to heart the love that is freely given to us day in and day out. As we sit and think about what we give to others selflessly, let us take into consideration that maybe we should be more selfish. In our mindfulness of others, have we considered the price we are paying when it comes to our soul? Are we able to give God time first or are we sacrificing it to satisfy our earthly obligation? Being selfish with our soul could afford us the opportunity to be selfless to the world.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippian 4:13) This is not just saying “I can do all the HARD things through Christ.” We can accomplish EVERYTHING if we allow Christ to have his way in our lives. If God can take care of our souls, the most precious things, why wouldn’t He also takes care of things that pertains to our souls like the love we have for our family. Too many of us run ourselves (and in turn our souls) into the ground to where there’s no room for self improvement through the Holy Spirit. However, that ends right now. The world we live in will only continue to get worse. Try as you might, there is only so much earthly protection you can dish out. It is your soul that must be protected and we must give this fight to our Father to save our family’s souls as well. But it first starts with you! Be “selfish” and give yourself to God. Then give him the space and opportunity to work on your behalf.
Let us leave you with a prayer
Heavenly Father, first we would like to give You honor and glory for all that You have done for Your people. We thank you, Jesus, for taking us into consideration and for choosing to be our Savior. God, we ask that you give us the strength and discernment to be willing to give You our souls. Release us from the mindset that we have to sacrifice our selves for others. Give us the guidance in understanding that through You we can accomplish more and we can be a better help to others. Prepare Your people now Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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