Called to be Friends
Text: John 15:13-15 from The Message
“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
Reflection: Here’s another of those verses that can be challenging. Of course, I’d lay down my life for my kids, my spouse. I think Jesus knows that. This verse mentions friends and I’ve got a little story for you…
We are blessed to live on an acre of land which I have a lot of fun mowing with an ancient Snapper riding mower that handy Mike has kept in excellent shape for over 25 years (and we bought it used…but I digress.) This past week I was mowing at my usual rather fast clip. Then there was the group of three large rocks in the corner of the property. A tree surrounds the back side of the rocks so when I, unintentionally ran that mower up the three said large rocks, and finally, with a gasp, was able to turn off the mower…I hear a faint voice: “Nancy, you ok?” my neighbors “camping” in their driveway asking. Just as I’m replying “yeah”, here’s one of my neighbors right behind me ready to help. No thought, just running over to help. We brought the tractor off the three rocks, laughed a bit.
It may not seem like laying down life for a friend – but on reflection, I believe it was. There was no time to be correctly distanced in a social way. He was right there, no thought, no mask, just helping a neighbor who, I admit, could have really hurt herself. They couldn’t see me from where they were. Just run and help. How many times do we hear of strangers running into danger to help? How about the helpers Bank of Ann Arbor is thanking on their billboards? We are made to be compassionate beings. I’m so very blessed to have compassionate caring friends in my life. What joy this brings! Thank you, Jesus!
Focus: Being a helper when we can.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus! Thank you for the caring, compassionate people in our lives. Help us to realize opportunities to be the helpers too. Please give us peace in our hearts during this challenging time. Amen.
Author: Nancy Sauve