Do What You can for Others

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 NKJV

In a story titled “Cold case: police stop London Marathon runner training with fridge on back,” published by The Guardian on Monday, it was reported that a man training for the London Marathon while carrying a fridge on his back has told of how he was stopped by police who thought he had stolen the appliance. Daniel Fairbrother was brought to a halt by officers in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, during training for his attempt to break the world record for the “fastest marathon carrying a household appliance (white goods)”… Fairbrother said he was on his second run carrying the fridge, which he hopes will help him raise money for Diabetes UK (in support of his best friend, Sam, who has type 1 diabetes) in April, when he noticed a police car turning around. He said: “They put their blue lights on, held up the traffic and stopped me to find out what on earth was going on. Understandably they had not seen anything like it before. “One police officer wound down his window and said: ‘You understand we’ve got to stop you. Is that a fridge on your back?’” Do you just love that story or what? It’s amazing how the love we have for a friend can inspire us to do things such as this. 

But you know, when it comes to the ultimate sacrifice for a friend, Jesus gave us the commandment to love one another as He has loved us. Going on to say, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” And while we may not ever have the opportunity to actually give our lives for a friend, we do have opportunities each and every day to give of our lives to the people around us, serving them as Christ served us, with a humility and love that’s more concerned with the welfare of others than ourselves. 

So look for ways to help other people my friend. Like Daniel who is willing to carry a fridge for 26.2 miles for the benefit of someone he loves, look for occasions to do things (even if they seem a bit crazy) that will make someone else’s life a little better and/or easier. We may not always have big opportunities but little opportunities taken advantage of over time can add up in big ways that show people the love of Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to love others in the same way You love us… even being willing to give up our lives for them if necessary. Help us to do this Lord so that the lost would see You in us and be drawn to love You in the same way we do. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!