baby steps

St Augustine gives us great advice today in A Year with the Church Fathers.

He tells us that we may find ourselves struggling to do what God calls us to. "There is no greater love than to give our lives for our friends." That's a big one. Not an easy command. You may find yourself struggling with even WANTING to be willing to do that.

So Augustine gives us a good idea. Don't start there. Start with another verse, where Paul tells us not to withhold help from those in need. When we see people hurting and in need, we can give them something. Some food. Some clothes. A book. Some money. Some kind of help.

Once we've done that, we find ourselves growing. We find ourselves wanting to help more. And eventually, as we continue down that road, following Him and learning to act like He does, we eventually find ourselves being like He is. Being willing to lay down our lives for our friends.

In the meantime, let's ask Him to help us want to. And take some baby steps in that direction.

God, thank You for meeting us where we are, and helping us grow to where we need to be.