When I was 8, my younger sister and I shared a queen-sized bed. Our sharing was not without its bickering, though —
she was always on my side of the bed or wanting more covers than I wanted. I distinctly remember one August night
when I layered the bed with blankets just because I knew it would make her hot. I didn’t think about the fact that it
would also make me hot. Looking back, we laugh as we recall our petty arguments in which our highest aims were to
make each other as uncomfortable as possible. In this morning’s sermon text, John calls believers to lay down their lives
for one another. This morning, as we sing, we are praying that the love of Jesus may fill us, so as to see Him exalted
rather than ourselves. We declare the glory He deserves and together cling closely to Jesus, more fixed on heaven than
earth. As we make Christ our aim and think of others’ needs ahead of our own, our joy will be complete. Our aim should
not be what mine was as an 8-year-old as I sought my desires ahead of my sister’s. Instead, our aim should be for unity
as we come through Christ’s gates, fixed on His unchanging love and knowing His faithfulness is sure. —Emma Marsh
