Read: 2 John 1:6
The volunteer at the crisis pregnancy center answered the call from a young mother. She expected the caller to ask to come in for counseling about her unplanned pregnancy. Instead, it was a new mother calling from the hospital where she had just given birth.
“I need diapers for when I take my baby home.”
The volunteer thought, She had nine months to prepare for this. Didn’t she think she’d need a supply of diapers right away? How could she not plan at least that much?
Later, when the volunteer described the caller’s lack of planning to the center’s
minister volunteer, he replied, “She did have a plan. It was to call us.”
How quickly we think the worst of others without compassion for their unique approach to life. The volunteer’s love for others flew out the window when she assumed the caller was too stupid or lazy to buy diapers ahead of time.
This verse from 2 John tells us first to walk in obedience to Christ’s commands. He gave us many commands: to avoid sin, to share the Gospel, to live in purity, and to worship the Father. However, undergirding all these commands is love.
The volunteer could not know what it was like to walk in the caller’s shoes, or what prevented the caller from living up to others’ standards. When you think about it, Jesus’ love for us and our love for Him is all that matters. Everything else is mere commentary.
Dear Jesus, help us see the person You died for in everyone we encounter, leading us to love as You commanded.
