There Is No Greater Love Than This

he thought that may come to mind when you hear "There is not greater love than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends," is that of a heroic act resulting in a physical death. Rightfully so; history is filled with stories of courageous men in battle who have sacrificed their lives to protect their comrades. But is this the only interpretation of this saying? Are we meant to wait for a life-or-death situation to prove our love? Can we even predict how we would react in such intense circumstances? Or is there another way to live sacrificially without losing our life?

Human Trust: Can We Truly Rely on Each Other

In "The Will to Believe," William James asserts that a social organism exists only because each member fulfills their duty, trusting that others will do the same. He argues that without mutual trust, any group—whether a government, an athletic team, or any collective—would be incapable of achieving anything and might not even attempt to do so. James illustrates this point with an example of a train robbery, where a small group of men manages to control a large crowd of onlookers and victims. This raises the question: how can a small group wield so much power over the masses? According to James, it's the lack of trust and the fear that individuals won’t be supported if they take action that gives such a small group control. This idea resonates strongly today, in an era where divisive rhetoric is prevalent, and skepticism and doubt continue to grow with each passing year.

Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to. Little sacrifices. Big sacrifices. A mother works so her son can go to school. A daughter moves home to take care of her sick father. [Mitch Albom]

A Life of Sacrifice and Purpose

There is a path forward and there is a way to lay down your life for another even while you still breathe. Trust can only begin to rebuild by action; sitting back and being an armchair warrior will not get the job done.

Let us not stand idly by while our neighbor bleeds, and we shall not either. Only together will we find true purpose. [Leviticus 19]

In our everyday lives, there are countless opportunities to live sacrificially. It can be as simple as giving up our time to help a friend or a neighbor in need, volunteering at a local charity or community organization, or choosing to forgive someone who has wronged us. These actions, while seemingly small, are profound because they require us to trust in the goodness of others and to believe that our efforts will make a difference. It’s in these moments that we embody the true essence of laying down our lives for others—by standing up for what is right and just, we create a ripple effect of light from our Creator and sense of trust within our communities.

Challenge:

Commit to doing one deed every day for a week that will build trust and community. See the Objective(s) for ideas.

Objective(s):

• Tune out of any shows, online videos, or movies that are meant to create division.
• Help someone that you don't know.
• Do something nice for someone that you regularly disagree with.
• Encourage your friends, family, and followers to join in on the challenge and make a difference in their own communities.
• Sacrifice time to go serve a local charity, organization, or ministry.
• Smile at everyone that you pass throughout your week.
• Give a positive review to local businesses that you frequent.