This past week I was blown away by a news report. So often the local, or national news seems only to report negative stories. I've been told that sensational headlines and tragic stories sell. I suppose they used to sell newspapers, but today sell advertisement on internet news sites. So I was blown away this week at a story that was so positive, and sweet that I might have cavities just from repeatedly watching it. It was the story of a four year old named Austin Perine of Birmingham, Alabama.
Austin is not only adorable, he is living out a commandment of Jesus, even if he isn't aware of it. You see young Austin uses allowance money, and any money his parents would have spent on him for toys and such, in order to buy chicken sandwiches. No, it isn't because young Austin loves chicken sandwiches, but because, as he says, "Feeding the homeless is the highlight of my life."
What? Some of you just read that statement several times didn't you? Austin's love is feeding homeless people. With each and every person Austin hands a chicken sandwich to, he gives some advice. The advice is, "Don't forget to show love." I'm blown away.
Jesus had something to say about love. In John 13:34 we read the words of Jesus, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." In John 15:12 Jesus says again, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." A few verses later we find Jesus words, "This I command you, that you love one another." Three times in the Gospel of John alone we find Jesus having to order His followers to love one another. Some will say that Jesus only meant to love fellow believers, those who think, look, and act like them. Yet in Luke 6:27 & 35 Jesus says to love our enemies.
The command to love prescriptive. The way to love, as Jesus did, is descriptive. We must love, and love sacrificially. What a shame that so often all we see is hatred and disagreement. Yet little Austin Perine is living out the command of Jesus. He loves sacrificially, as much as any four year old can love.
Today, and every day ahead, how ever many days the Lord allows you, don't forget to show love.
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