This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13

Dear God, the first step in loving others is to take my eyes off of myself.

Last night, I did one of those things some adults do that can be the biggest generator of insecurity we will experience as Americans, I went to my high school class reunion. I went to school with some very nice and good people so the evening was pleasant and I ended up staying at the bar where we met for about four hours—and the time passed quickly. But the emotions I experienced leading up to the evening are striking me now as I sit here.

1. Will anyone remember me?
2. Will the people there be anyone I can talk to?
3. How do I look?
4. How does my career stack up?
5. How do my kids compare?

I can see where others might be concerned about things I take for granted like if they are divorced, still a closeted homosexual, have failed careers, gained a lot of weight, etc.

I think there are two things at play. First, for whatever reason, we care about what these people from X-number years ago think about us and how they judge us. Why do we care? Second, we judge ourselves against the best of each person’s life, not taking their struggles into account and we feel like we don’t stack up. I might take this person’s career, add that person’s kids, and throw in this person’s house, and put another person’s appearance on top of that and then see how my life compares with the combined ideal person.

I found myself experiencing a lot of these insecurities as I was driving to my hometown yesterday, but thankfully, I was able to take the last 30 minutes of the drive to pray to you, worship a little, and get out of myself. You were giving me an opportunity to love. You gave me an opportunity to be vulnerable. I could take my life and share the flawed parts with people. There was no reason to put any veneer on anything. In fact, humility would be a way that I could be free from Satan’s desire to make me ashamed of myself and to help others who might be experiencing shame. I purposed to try to be a good listener last night and to share my shortcomings. I don’t know if I made a difference in anyone else’s life, but I can honestly say that I had a good time.

Father, I’m going back to the second evening of events tonight. Help me to live up to this passage and love my former classmates. Help me to be willing to lay down my life for these fellow alums of my high school. Shine through me—not in a holier than thou way, but in a loving way that will draw any of them who are experiencing shame to freedom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen