Lift Your Spirit – “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT

Maybe you’ve noticed that I’ve spent considerable time and space talking about the importance of living life in community with other Christ Followers. I believe that the culture in which we are presently living deems it necessary to establish ourselves with those who are committed to the same mindset and values in order to keep moving forward with few mental bruises and emotional setbacks.

I am not advocating the practice of alienating those whose opinions and lifestyles differ from yours or mine. In fact, I believe that Jesus modeled a lifestyle that was inviting to those who diametrically opposed Him and all that He stood for. And we likeminded Followers of Jesus are commissioned to win people by going out of our way to love on them – not scorn or judge them.

For many folks, we are as close to a church pew that they’d be willing to encounter. Our lifestyle is our testimony. And better than any social media reel or YouTube short, we are live 24/7. Do we give any evidence of having something they would want to know more about?

As the saying goes, “People won’t care about how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

When I am around folks who are genuinely caring and compassionate, non-judgmental and transparent, I am drawn in. I want to know what propels them to live that way. Where they get the confidence to be courageously vulnerable. Let’s face it, in this me-centric society it’s very obvious when someone will pass up an opportunity to gain for themselves in order for the one behind them to benefit. Like salmon swimming upstream, it’s sure to draw attention and rub a few folks uneasy.

This warm rendition of an old classic song (many of you would have to YouTube it to find the original Simon and Garfunkel version) should cause us to think about being that bridge for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Because we all have those seasons of troubled waters – Christians and non-Christians. We are called to be there for one another. To lay down our agenda for the sake of another is a form of laying down our lives. Not everyone’s battlefield is in a trench at the border of another country. Most battlefields are no further than your arm’s reach and camouflaged by silent smiles.

It is my prayer that as we intentionally live as Jesus lived, that we will actively pursue the well-being of those around us.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary

*Thank you to Tasha Cobbs-Leonard | Natalie Grant for this.