Greater Love

Mama Said

John 15:23 ESV

Protect the Other

Riding Shotgun

As I write this the news is telling about the result of a disastrous flood in the Southern U.S. According to

the news there are still over a hundred people still missing and they expect to find the bodies in the

debris. There are looming question about what could have happened if those living in the region would

have been given more warning. The disaster reminded all of us we need to have some agency “riding

shotgun” to protect from natural disasters. This area HAS been called “flash flood alley” but this time the

flood came too fast and furious for residents.

I grew up in tornado alley and we lived in a state of preparedness. Everyone in our family had a job to do

when the tornado warning siren went off. We knew exactly what to grab and where to find items on our

way to the basement. Even though a tornado never struck, a nearby town was leveled by an F5 Tornado

when I was small. We knew it could have been us.

In John 15:13 we are told, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his

friends.”

As we watch the news clips of the devastation we are reminded on any given day any of us could be in

danger. Nature doesn’t choose who or how or when.

We are the ones who choose to love and help or to walk away. Greater love is a choice we all make from

time to time. But, here’s the catch that I learned when I was a teenager. There are times when I don’t

want to love. I want (and maybe need) to play ostrich. Knowing why and how to respond is something we

have to learn. Thankfully, we do not really have to make that decision when God is our helper.

Think of it this way…God sees everything everywhere all the time. Because of that, God knows before a

disaster comes that it’s coming. When we turn to God (I believe one time) we are called according to

God’s purpose. That means we may be called to serve. We may be called to pray. Or we may be called to

a greater purpose and love.

When we are called we are also given a choice. God doesn’t force us to respond.

There have been times when I’ve said to God, “I wanna wanna wanna say yes but I need your help.”

Then God will help. God will either give us the strength we need to respond or God will give us the

strength to say no. I’ve had both happen.

I am amazed that God is so loving and compassionate to me that whatever I feel matters to God.

That’s because God IS Greater Love.

In God,

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com