Article by FCA
We have a choice about what we spend our time on, how we spend it and to whom we give it.
We’ve committed to God’s team. We’ve cultivated our faith to receive God’s love more and become more like Jesus. Now, will we choose to love like Jesus?
“’I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” -John 13:34-35
Jesus’ disciples were a team. In John 15:12-17, He huddles them up and gives them a command two separate times: love each other. Jesus tasked these individuals to prove their commitment to the team by loving each other. The same command echoes to us today.
God wants you to love your coaching staff, teammates, team manager and everyone involved in the program. It’s not by accident that you are together. But you can be certain of one thing: God has you where you are, with the people you are with, for however long you are with them, so that they can experience God’s love for them through you.
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 15:12
When Jesus says in John 15:12 to “Love one another as I have loved you,” He is telling His disciples — and us — that His life is the playbook for how we love those around us.
Because Jesus sacrificed for others, we sacrifice for others.
Because Jesus served others, we serve others.
Because Jesus walked the earth with a “There you are” attitude instead of a “Here I am” attitude, we adopt a similar posture.
While Jesus could not be more clear in John 15 that we should love each other, He also spent much of His ministry loving people on the margins. If we want to love like Jesus, we will also choose to love those who go unnoticed.
Jesus always engaged with people society deemed insignificant, marginal and unworthy. He made time for the unpopular and unnoticed. Even though He commanded His disciples (and us) to love each other, watching the very life of Jesus helps us understand that “each other” is not limited to those we get along with or the popular crowd. “Each other” means everyone —especially those we often ignore.
Who are the unnoticed in sport? The injured athlete, the one at the end of the bench or the one who just got cut. The maintenance worker who cuts the grass, cleans the pool, dusts the floor or rakes the dirt. The referee who spent the entire game getting yelled at by coaches, parents and fans. The athlete on the opposing team who had a tough game. What kindness can you show them, so they see Jesus’ love through you?
Jesus loved those whom others ignored. We’re proven when we choose to do the same.
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