Greater Love
It is not uncommon for young people to go through a time when they deliberate if they want to continue following and practicing the spiritual beliefs of their parents or family. There is an innate internal need to decide, “What I believe” rather than to declare, “What my parents believe.” It is part of the growing-up process for everyone. Each young person has their unique perspectives and insights as to what makes sense to them spiritually. Their individualized journey to personal faith is a life-long experience.
How we, as family, friends, and church leaders, respond to each young person in their quest for spiritual life, is crucial. Their decision if they will stay in a relationship with us and stick around, or if they will walk away is—to a large extent—in our hands. Their beliefs and the practices they develop can take them away or can keep them closer to us. If they stay connected, then we are thankful and enriched; if they drift away or outright rebel, then we are sorrowful and broken-hearted. However, as friends and leaders, we can still stay connected with them even if they walk away. We do not have to let them go. We can continue reaching out in love and care, showing them interest. We can continue giving them time and attention in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. We will NOT let our friends go. We will GO after them and continue to nurture friendships with them!
Solomon said, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV). Proverbs goes on to say, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV). Jesus modeled friendship and staying close to those whom others thought He should not be around. “Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:1-2 NKJV). Notice that Jesus did not expect this group of people to come to the synagogue to hear him teach or preach. Rather He met them in their places and spaces and their timeframes to share His love and care for them. We can do this too if we are intentional about loving our friends who may not think or act like us.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV). And then He showed us what he meant by this when He literally laid down his life for His friends – meaning – for us. We too can share love with others as Jesus did. We may not be called to give up our life for another, but we may be called to give up our time and attention for others. We may be called to devote our lives to lovingly pursue those who may not be following Jesus. We can GO! We will GO!
