LOVE IS LAYING DOWN

There are no standing lovers. None. 

Love is in the laying down of self, of agendas, 

thoughts, ambitions and everything in between for another 

~ Ann Voskamp ~ 

(paraphrased)

Loving, laying down is a voluntary act. So you want to love as Christ loved the church? It's an act. It's a risk. It will take all of you. But it'll be worth it.

John 10:11

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep."

John 10:18 part 1

"No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.]"

We've romanticized the very essence of loving someone as Christ loved the church. I hear it mentioned when men tell their girlfriend's of their commitment to them and in people's vows. And lately, I can't help but laugh because many don't realize it is a vow. And God honours those. He doesn't forget those. And for words spoken to "sound deeply committed" without understanding of the true essence of it, God begins to burrow hearts for depth and understanding. And my, my! You bleed those words into being. You asked for it. No one forced your hand into speaking it.

Love is stripping down to your bare minimums, fastening a servant's towel around your waist and washing feet (John 13:4-5) Isn't it funny that loving is humbling - the very doing of it. Because many times we are quick to speak but it's the doing or lack of that exposes us. And Peter, speaking rashly on that day (John 13:37), paid a hefty price for his truthful promise to Christ later by dying a painful death. Risky. Willingly. Voluntarily. As Christ laid down His life.

Leave alone men to their wives (but still, Jesus so desires it), would you lay down your life for brethren at church? What of brethren that you've never met? I'm not trying to be dramatic. This is not Sparta. But would you gladly inconvenience yourself for the ease, comfort and wellbeing of another? Tough. Makes blood and guts look easy. But this is how they shall know that we are His - when we love one another and serve one another (John 13:14-15, 1 John 3:16) It is our obligation to each other as brethren.

But boy, does the church love to lead! Wooh! We looooooove the front-lines. We love the choir, but we especially love the men of the collar. We love the thought of one day getting to sit at the front centre of the church but we forget that the position we are wishing for is a greater place to carry others, to lift and wash with prayers, to shepherd (John 13:3-4) It's responsibility and there's a price you have to pay for it. It's not solely about holding the mic and speaking wisdom and truth and prophecy. That's just him/her sharing their downloads from their back-room with God. The real work is in the prayer closet. It's all sweat, long days and late nights yielding and covering a people that God has called to be equipped for greater works than these (John 14:12)

Greater works... There's some work involved. And it's outside of your comfort zone. It calls for laying down to serve. For kneeling. For stripping. And there are no superstars in the kingdom of God. None. Only sons with a serving heart.

It's true: It will take all of you. But my God! It's worth it.