This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 (NIV)
I haven’t watched a full broadcast of the ten o’clock evening news in years.
I realized the news was giving me nightmares. It seemed that each night, the news became darker, more saturated with gloom and despair and evil. And there came a point when I decided that I simply didn’t have to watch it. Instead, I read the Sunday newspaper, scanned my Facebook and Twitter feeds for current events, and occasionally tuned in when there’s a special report or something that I wanted more information about. But for the most part, I was well into an old episode of Frasier by ten p.m.
On the rare occasion that I catch the news, I look for the one thing that makes watching bearable for me: stories of folks laying down their lives for others. Often in the tragedies reported at ten, stories of beauty follow in their wake. Stories of generosity, of blessing, of kids helping other kids in hugely significant ways, of strangers saving lives and doing good deeds, big and small. Stories of everyday ordinary people literally handing over the shirt on their back, the shoes on their feet, their paycheck in donation.
Often in the aftermath of crisis, the good comes out of the woodwork. The light shines through each crack, piercing the darkness.
Maybe we can’t do earth-shattering good. Maybe we can’t afford the time or money it takes to make a “real difference” in our community. Maybe we’re “just one person,” overcome by doubt before we even start.
But no matter our time or finances or status or life stage, we can lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Oh yes we can because sometimes it’s as simple as showing up.
Jesus showed up — among the sick and dying, amidst the prostitutes and shunned. All up in the wrong parts of town, Jesus showed up. There was no “other side of the tracks” to Him. Jesus befriended sneaky thieves and shady tax collectors and smelly fishermen. Jesus joined folks for meals, invited Himself into their homes, and mourned side by side with friends. Jesus talked a man down from a tree. Jesus invited the children to come to Him. (Kids. Kids tell it like it is and make themselves comfortable and cause a ruckus, and still . . . Jesus invited them right up front alongside Him.) Jesus made conversation with a woman fetching water at a well, and that conversation changed the rest of her history. Even unto His death on the cross — the ultimate laying down of life — Jesus was present, asking forgiveness on our behalf.
Jesus’ ministry was of presence, and presence can be our ministry, too.
A few years ago, a thirty-one tweet thread went viral on Twitter, with thousands of retweets and shares and news articles following. This Twitter-storm wasn’t about the latest political moves or anything scandalous. It was about Mr. Rogers. Yep, THAT Mr. Rogers — the kindhearted, soft-spoken children’s television show host. The man behind the tweets shared a story of when, during a difficult time in his adult life, he actually ran into Mr. Rogers in an elevator. And in his classic kind style, Mr. Rogers invited the man into a conversation. Mr. Rogers made space. Mr. Rogers listened actively. Mr. Rogers invited and sat still, undistracted.
For an hour, Mr. Rogers laid down his life for a stranger who desperately needed a warm welcome.
This kind of presence offered is a gift and an inconvenience and an interruption and a blessing to both sides. We too can lay down our lives in such ways, can’t we? Giving up our afternoon to babysit, picking up the phone and calling a lonely friend, popping next door and visiting a neighbor (a particular sacrifice for me and my introvert homebody sisters!) — all of these examples of presence add up to one thing: love.
Laying down our life for another can mean many things, but it always ends up in selfless, sacrificial love.
Today, consider this: In what ways could you allow
the ministry of presence to become your offering?
Jesus’ ministry was of presence, and presence can be our ministry, too. -@annaerendell: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Anna,
I used to be really good at what my dad called, “the lost art of letter writing,” but I admit my letters have become more like “notes”. A good friend recently sent me a “thinking of you” card and she filled it with several pages of handwritten news and encouragement. What a joy to sit with my coffee and read, and re-read her letter. I felt blessed that she had the presence of mind and took the time to pen the cursive words on each page (I’m realizing that cursive is a “lost art” as well). Our ministry of presence is awesome in the up-close-and-personal version, but I am convicted by your post that I need to get back to writing some notes and letters of my own. Jesus just showed up. He didn’t preach, or lecture, or quote scripture. He simply was present. Thanks for a wake up call this am, Anna!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Those lost arts are still so valuable! Love that you practice them. Also love that a letter doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful — to both the writer and recipient. Such a gift!
As believers, we know we are called to a poured out life, but I forget that the calling is lived out one drop at a time. Thanks for the push to put aside the daily do-list now and then to be part of an unscheduled blessing.
One drop at a time. YES. Thanks for this reminder.
This sooooo resonates with me, Anna!
I can’t watch the news. My husband is a counselor. I hear about so many sad and dark things… but then we see the Mr. Rogers of this life, going around changing the world just by being present. Thank you for these beautiful words. 🙂
We may not think we are making a HUGE difference to people, but just by loving them like Jesus and showing up, we are making a bigger impact than we know.
So so good Sister,
Becky
Yes, exactly! Here’s to just showing up, Becky!
THANKYOU for this .God is confirming to me that I am doing His will.
I had coffee with a long time Christian friend the other day . I had my first bible study at her house 40 years ago but hadn’t seen her in ages. I was sharing that my husband and I have agreed to be on the support transplant team for a friend. It will require 24/7 care. She said..” Why would you even consider that . It is too stressful and time consuming.” I replied that God asked us to do this if we loved as He wants us to love. She said “where in the bible does it say that?”
Well I looked at her in surprise and gave her the exact verse… 1John3:16 .
Yes , it may well be too hard on us at age 70 but God owns my life and He will decided my future and direct my path.
This is exactly what the world needs… Presence and love . Bless you for sharing ..and walking the talk.
Wow Cheryl, what a gift you will be (and have been) to your friend. Prayers as you begin this journey with them, and thank you for sharing your story here. You gave me a gift in it!
Anna.
Years ago I gave my parents the gift of presence. Mom had dementia & was bedridden for two years. Each Monday after work I would go & visit them. Check on their needs & see how they were doing. After mom died I continued that with dad even when he went into assisted living. For a short while I went twice a week & took him shopping. After I quit my job I went three times a week just to sit with him, feed him or do whatever needed. I have a good friend who lives alone. I can tell when she needs company. Easter Sunday I went to her house after church before we headed to lunch together. I went back afterwards for a while. Now she is in rehab for shoulder surgery & I have seen her 3 times. With ex-co workers I send texts & emails to keep in touch. Once a month we try to get together & have a meal to catch up. As Lisa Jo Baker says I’m the super glue that holds the group together. Often times I try to send cards to people letting them know I’m thinking of them. At church I find the “older” women & go over to give them hugs & say Hi. I find that the older generation (70s-90s) are the ones who need our presence most. I do my best to sit, talk or just say hello. I’m never to busy to give someone the gift of presence if even for a short time.
Blessings 🙂
You’re walkin’ the talk, Beth! Thankful to hear your story; what a gift you gave your folks (and friends!).
I too cannot bring myself to watch the news. I am too empathetic. I feel the hurt of the women who have lost everything, or their child has passed away, and it distresses me too deeply. I now pray for the women (and men) of the world for peace. Yesterday, I was able to join with a group who went to help a lady who had to move at 2 days notice. We didn’t get reasons, we just packed, and wiped out cupboards, and hugged her, and chatted while we worked. There was lots of laughter in her place yesterday, and she was smiling by the time we left with God’s blessings and a prayer. This group is organised by a church which I am not involved with, but they moved me because I didn’t have the funds to move, and they are God’s hands and feet. We are truly present.
Oh Kay, moving help is no joke! What a gift you were to her. God’s hands and feet indeed.