We Are Called To DO Things Outside Our Normal Roles… Hello weekend readers. I read a few stories this week about Abraham Lincoln, the soldiers, at that Civil War time. And then I got to thinking of the disaster of 9/11. To be honest, it hurt my soul for all of our military and our people throughout the disasters we have gone through. Yet, here is God’s call to get in there and help even if it is outside our normal roles. Stop a moment and think of that…what would you say, will you do it, or are you just too busy?

This story of Lincoln is one that tugs my heart. Here is the true story, you might want to have some Kleenex:

Despite his busy schedule, Abraham Lincoln often visited wounded Civil War soldiers in hospitals across the Union. Some of his leaders would tell him that he is the President and he doesn’t have to do all of that. Lincoln would ask them “would you help a dying soldier?” They just walked away. On one occasion, he walked in to see a man who was near death. “Is there anything I can do for you?“ asked the President. The dying young man said, “O yes, Mr. President. Please write a letter to my mother.”

Unrecognized by the dying soldier, the President sat down and transcribed exactly what the soldier told him to write: “My Dearest Mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won’t recover. Don’t sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and John for me.” The young soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript: “Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.”

 When Lincoln was assassinated, many of his letters were retained. But the one that caught everyone’s heart was the dying soldier and a President who would always be entwined with love and compassion for his soldiers that he loved so much.

The Apostle John gives us a clear picture of what Jesus wants us to do for those in peril:  [John 13:34-35 from the Message Translation]

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

Very often in life, Christians are called to do things outside of their normal roles in order to show kindness to a person in need. No doubt, that calling can mean that you stop your daily routine to help a friend—even one you don’t know—who is in need. Al and I have many times to stop and pull our car over to help change a tire for a complete stranger. And guess what, the stranger becomes a friend!

Don’t let your role or status limit the love you show for others. The greatest love you can give is a love that’s shown even when it isn’t convenient. And when you do, you’ll receive the remarkable blessing that comes with following Christ’s example of putting others first!

O Lord, help me to show your opportunities where I can step out of my daily routine to show the love of Christ to others. In this broken world, there is nothing that can put it back together unless we step in and bind the wounds and continue to share the hope that God has for us all, AMEN.