I told my (all male) followers that greater love had no man than that he lay down his life for his friends. How often have you heard this common phrase? I spoke a great deal about love to my disciples. Yet how difficult it is for modern men to say that they love their male friends! This comes much easier for women, but even they may neglect it. How else would you describe a life-giving relationship that you are highly invested in? Wouldn’t you sacrifice for your friends? Yet cultural biases and pressures can keep you from expressing this. Don’t let fear keep you silent. Tell them.

Do you believe in equality? This is a common feature of many political systems. Does it go against your direct observations? Can you see that people vary not only in appearance, but also in resources and abilities, values and tastes, and every other dimension of humanity? So people are not inherently equal and the doctrine of equality requires some reflection, and an equalizer. For believers, the fact that all people are created by me and in that sense my children is the basis for ultimate equality and therefore political equality before the law.

How do you expect to approach me? Is it through a clearly defined sequence of steps, like a well-designed study curriculum? Most things that you can learn have a program of some sort available and spirituality is no exception. The Bible refers to those whose knowledge of me is line upon line, and precept upon precept, but it does not say that this is the only approach or even the best approach. Could you also find me by feeling your way toward me? See Acts 17:27. If you are more familiar with the first method you may be surprised at how well this works.

Do you think that self-care is selfish; that it is self-indulgent to do something that doesn’t directly benefit anyone but you? It is not hard to find those who will level such an accusation against you. Do they commit every waking moment to selfless service of others? Have you ever heard the standard passenger briefing that in the event of a rapid decompression you should take care of your own oxygen needs before attending to those around you? In this way you can be a responder rather than a victim. Care for yourself that you may have the resources to care for others.