Self-centered Vs. Self-sacrificial

Self-centered Vs. Self-sacrificial

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. –Ephesians 5:2

It was an uncanny turn of events. The Saturday before Gabe was born we found ourselves in the neonatal ICU at the hospital. A virus had infected the heart of our pediatrician’s newborn son, and at just three weeks old, he was in desperate need of a heart transplant. As we talked with Dr. Ladd in the corridor, he explained that the typical waiting time for a heart to become available was six weeks and that his son, Luke, had just two or three weeks to live without a new heart. It looked as if our doctor, who had taken such sweet care of Hope in life and death, might be facing the death of his own child.

Miraculously, a heart became available the next day, and Luke had his transplant surgery that Sunday night. Gabe was born the next morning, and we were amazed when Dr. Ladd came to see us and check up on Gabe. We were touched by his willingness to leave his own son to see ours, but it wasn’t until days later that I learned the true extent of our doctor’s selflessness. One of the NICU nurses, who attends the same church as Dr. Ladd, told me that on that Sunday morning, while they were still waiting for a heart for their son, Dr. Ladd submitted a prayer request. But it wasn’t for Luke. It was for us.

I’m still touched and amazed when I remember—touched that we would be on the forefront of his mind, amazed that he found room in his heart for us when the need of his family was so great and his burden was so heavy. His simple prayer request is such a beautiful picture of what it means to live a life full of love for others, to make room for the concerns of others in our hearts.

Christ has set the example for loving each other in this self-sacrificial way. He has shown us the extent love goes to, how much love gives. We simply can’t wait until all our needs are met and our comforts are secure to follow his example. To love others in a sacrificial way means coming alongside others even when we are looking for support; it means lifting others up even while we are sinking. Love lays down its life for the lives of others.

My Example in self-sacrifice, I am so full of my own concerns I sometimes feel I have no time or energy, and honestly, little genuine compassion for the needs of others. Help me to follow your example of self-giving. Show me how to live a life filled with love for others.

DIGGING DEEPER