Chosen

I love it when God teaches me things through others, in daily life (good and bad), and even through Facebook. Who’d a thought that God was into social media?

It started when Kip (Gordon) posted about his son being injured while bull riding. First of all, I’m enamored at the fact that I even know someone who rides bulls (it IS Michigan, after all) and that anyone would be brave enough to willingly do such a thing. Guess it falls under the guise of being young and fearless.
 

Kip poured out his heart after his son’s accident. It struck such a chord with me, he has graciously given me permission to share (in part).

Photo Credit: Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15.13  NIV)

That's my son, Cayden, knocked out on the floor of a rodeo arena after being thrown from a bull and landing on his head. That man standing guard and the other laying his body over my son is to protect him while the 2000 plus pound bull roams around looking for his next victim. They are my heroes.

There were no private discussions to see if my son was worthy of getting their help. Not once did they check to see if my son's parents voted Republican or Democrat, not once did they ask, before laying over the top of my son and standing guard over his body if his mother and father were pro-abortion, or pro-life, wanted secure or open borders, or which news channel we watched.

No, they saw a human who needed immediate help and they set everything else aside to come to his rescue and to protect him, even if it meant the possibility of losing their lives. America could take a lesson from these gentlemen.

Photo Credit: Carol Tucker

I know they believed that they were just doing their job but it's bigger than that. Running from a bull is one thing, laying your perfectly alert and fully functioning body over someone who is helpless, just to do all you can to ensure that person lives is far beyond just doing your job. I was able to take my son home that next morning and I will be eternally grateful for it. Thanks gentlemen for your selfless dedication to keeping a stranger safe without counting the possible cost to yourselves. You guys rock.

I was very moved by Kip’s story of people that laid down their lives for a friend just as Jesus taught us. Without thought or care for their own safety, these brave men protected Cayden until he could be removed from the ring and taken for medical treatment. Fortunately, he is going to be okay.

I looked up the passage in John—it’s a familiar one—but God always has something new to say. . .

So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends. (John 15.12-13  TPT)

Jesus commands us to ‘love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you.’  Sacrificially. Demonstrated by laying down our life for a friend.

As the brave men did for Cayden. As Jesus chose to do for us.

Shortly after reading Kip’s post, I “stumbled” on this from my friend Tara Moore, who graciously allowed me to share (in part):

You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen. . . .you. (John 15.16 TPT)

God—chose—me!

Yes, you! He didn’t decide to adopt you because of your family history, your impeccable past, or your abilities. He didn’t reject you because of a lack of those things, either.

He saw all the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life, yet He still desired for you to be a part of His family. What’s more, He sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer the excruciating pain of the cross to ensure that you could come into His family.

God chose me! I am not an accident; I am not a mistake. Regardless of where I am from or what I have done, because of Jesus, I am a child of God!

Because He chooses to love us deeply, we can do the same for others. Laying down our lives for our friends. Sacrificially.

Oh, I hope it won’t involve a bull chasing me.

But if it does?

I guess He’ll make sure I can outrun it.