You Are My Life

 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 (KJV)

 

What does it mean to lay down one’s life for one’s friends?  How does Jesus demonstrate this “greatest love”?  Who do you believe loves you in this way?  Who do you love in this way?  How do you want to grow in order to love in the greatest way love can be?

 

The following story is a true story by Viraj Bhandare found athttp://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=131

There was a boy in India who was sent by his parents to a boarding school. Before being sent away this boy was the brightest student in his class. He was at the top in every competition. He was a champion. 

But the boy changed after leaving home and attending the boarding school. His grades started dropping. He hated being in a group. He was lonely all the time. And there were especially dark times when he felt like committing suicide. All of this because he felt worthless and that no one loved him.



His parents started worrying about the boy. But even they did not know what was wrong with him. So his dad decided to travel to the boarding school and talk with him.



They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him casual questions about his classes, teachers and sports. After some time his dad said, 'Do you know son, why I am here today?" 

The boy answered back, "to check my grades?" 

"No, no" his dad replied, "I am here to tell you that you are the most important person for me. I want to see you happy. I don't care about grades. I care about you. I care about your happiness. YOU ARE MY LIFE." 

These words caused the boy's eyes to fill with tears. He hugged his dad. They didn't say anything to each other for a long time.



Now the boy had everything he wanted. He knew there was someone on this earth who cared for him deeply. He meant the world to someone. And today this young man is in college at the top of his class and no one has ever seen him sad! 



Thanks a lot dad. YOU ARE MY LIFE.

 

Laying down your life for your friends is as simple as letting a friend, a family member, any loved one at all know that he/she is your life!  Open your heart to the Spirit’s presence that surrounds you and listen.  Can you hear Jesus softy whispering in your ear, “You are my life.”  He has saved your life with his love; imagine how many people you might save with yours!

With hope and joy,

Garrett