“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love
one another. By this all people will know that you
are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
{John 13:34-35}
This summer, I have been
blessed with the opportunity to serve as a day camp counselor. I have worked
with many children—children of various ages, backgrounds and personalities. It pretty well describes the cry of my heart during this season of my life. No matter how wrongly my campers may
treat me when I am trying so hard to love them, I must remember that the grace
and love God has shown me—a wrath-deserving wretch—infinitely exceeds any minor
injustices I face.
Yesterday, a camper asked
me, “How come you never get mad at any kids?” I told her very honestly that, in
myself, I would get mad at kids, yet God helps me to be kind to them. As John writes in
his epistle, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in
deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Lord, may Your love flow through Your people for
the glory of Your name and for the good of the world. Amen.
To love as You’ve loved me—O Lord, can this be?
Can deep, selfless love reach to others through me?
Can I give my life to proclaim Jesus’ name to the lost,
Lose myself that they, too, may be drawn to the cross?
Can I look in their eyes that are filled with regret,
And say, “Fear not; there is hope. God’s not done with you
yet!”?
Can I see past their anger, let go of my pride,
And admit that I, too, was once broken inside?
Can I point them to Jesus no matter the cost,
Count eternal life gain and this fleeting one loss?
Can I be ridiculed, mocked and slapped in the face
If only one sinner be touched by Your grace?
Lord, I see now how selfish my sick heart can be;
My life cannot compare to Your awe-striking glory!
What have I to lose when You’re by my side,
And You’ve promised that every need You’ll provide?
To love as You’ve loved me—I know this can be,
For Jesus, my Savior, showed this love to me!
Not regarding His life, He died for my sin,
So that I may not die but live forever with Him.
His life He gave up for the sake of His own,
That they forever may worship and bow at His throne.
To the sick He brought healing, to the dead He gave life,
To the sad He brought comfort, to the blind He gave sight
So that all men might know Him, partake of His grace
And through endless ages, His mighty name praise.
To love as You’ve loved me—Lord, this help me to do
That weak, broken sinners may find new life in You.
