"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"
I have read this quote from Christ and have heard it spoken literally hundreds of times knowing how it directly speaks to Christ's sacrifice for man. Yet I pondered it's applicable meaning for the everyday man and it is quite clear. I mean think about it. What are the chances you will ever get to demonstrate this kind of love unless it be in wartime or in an accidental setting? So I have seen this applied without a physical death being necessary but rather something a bit harder...the death of self...the death of ego.
How many times have you been in a position to help your friend or lover attain a level beyond you with no recompense whatsoever? Speaking for myself I can say I've been there quite a few times and at every turn I considered it a huge honor to stand in the shadow of my friends. Only because I knew that this was an opportunity to demonstrate the purest manifestation of love available to man...the denial of myself that the one I love should flourish. It is the hardest thing one could do. Especially in a romantic relationship where you know without a doubt that her progression will mean challenges to the relationship. New stature means new environments. New environments means new faces and new faces means new options. Options that the comfortably insecure would rather not deal with. His world is just fine as it is. His ego is satiated to the point of complacency. All while she stays the same...never meeting her true potential...just for him. Folks I'm telling you now, true love would risk it all. True love only wants the best for them. True love bears the weight of all insecurity and possible heartbreaking loss if it means that she will meet her potential. Even if it costs you your friend or lover...at least you can rest in the fact that you gave it all. Even if no one else sees it, rest assured that God does and the success of those you helped push up into the sun will always serve as a testament to that love.
So folks, if you ever want to show your love? Flowers, candies, gifts...yeah that's nice enough to appease someone for a bit but understand that there is no greater demonstration of love then the willingness to lose so the one you love can gain. Now take a moment to look across the spectrum of your relationships, both romantic and platonic. Ask yourself if you've seen this love. If you have...don't thank them. This does nothing for them because they didn't do it for a pat on the back. Thank God for them and keep the knowledge that these are true in your heart. If you haven't seen this love, give them some time and keep an eye out for the moment when their opportunity to demonstrate this love arises...watch what they do. They may surprise you, solidifying their position in your life or they may disappoint you, lowering their standing with you. Oh and if you're in a relationship where your success hurts your partner or friend? Move on because these will only make your upwards climb all the more difficult. Besides, their misappropriated hurt is a testament to the fact that what they truly love is having you...loving you?, not so much. So my friends, all I can tell you is love...truly love. Understand that if your love is true then "keeping" them should never be as important as doing your best to set up conditions for the best of them to flourish. My Lord is right in what He said..."Greater love hath no man than this"...much love mi gente
~Moses Apollo
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