There is a lot going on in the world right now, but nothing has been more heartbreaking and real than the horrible tsunami that swept over Japan. The film clips are something that you would expect to see in a doomsday movie. It is like 9/11, in that your mind can't seem to quite register what your eyes are seeing because of the horror of it is unimaginable.
One thing that has really impressed me as I watch the coverage, is the support and sense of duty that the Japanese people have for each other. There is no looting of stores, nobody would ever even consider shoving to get food and water rations, or starting a fight. They have not had to bring in the National Guard to uphold peace in the hard hit areas.
America can take a lesson from this amazing culture. Family honor keeps them from doing these things despite the horrible circumstances. They would never want to bring dishonor to their family name, and so they have kept order and worked together to help their neighbors. In the Bible, Jesus has some very strong words for what should be most important to us.
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
We are commanded to love God first, and above all else; but His greatest desire is for us to love others and treat them like we would want to be treated. The two have to go hand in hand. To have holiness without love is like being a clanging gong. Your words of biblical wisdom fall short on a person if you are not loving them first. This is especially true of those who call themselves followers of Christ.
God calls us His children, and He wants us to live in a manner that brings honor to the family name. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul wrote about what it means to love.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
These are very high standards for us to live by, and we often fall short. Thankfully, we have a God that understands our shortcomings and forgives us when we stumble. He provides ways for reconciliation, and to try again. With each failure, we can learn and grow into the person God intends us to be.
It is good to take a lesson from the Japanese people, and live our life to bring honor to the family of God. God also calls us into action, and so we need to remember to actively pray for people who are suffering (and there are many countries around the world that suffer). We can pray that God will be visible and real to those experiencing pain. We can also pray for the efforts of humanitarians who are risking their health, and lives, to help in these hard hit areas. One of the ways that our family has contributed in helping people in need is through Samaritan's Purse. This is a loving organization founded by Billy Graham's son, Franklin, and it provides humanitarian relief to places all over the world.
Love your God.
Love your neighbor.
Love is an action word.
Do something to show love today!
Sandy
