“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
— John 13:34
Despite his busy schedule, Abraham Lincoln often visited wounded Civil War soldiers in hospitals across the Union. On one occasion, he walked in to see a man who was near death. “Is there anything I can do for you?” asked the President.
“Please write a letter to my mother,” the young man replied. Unrecognized by the soldier, the President sat down and transcribed exactly what the soldier told him to write:
“My Dearest Mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won’t recover. Don’t sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and John for me.”
The young soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript: “Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.”
Very often in life, Christians are called to do things outside of their normal roles in order to show kindness to a person in need. Maybe that means stopping your daily routine to help a friend who is in need. Or maybe it’s pulling your car over to help change a tire for a complete stranger.
Don’t let your role or status limit the love you show for others. The greatest love you can give is a love that’s shown even when it isn’t convenient. And when you do, you’ll receive the remarkable blessing that comes with following Christ’s example of putting others first!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you opportunities where you can step out of your daily routine to show the love of Christ to others.