Easter is my favorite time of year.I celebrated Easter with church services, family meals and egg hunts. But Easter took a new and even deeper meaning for me when I surrendered my life to Jesus.God sacrificed His Son for us, and that sacrifice was fulfilled by the resurrection of Jesus. Pretty unbelievable, right? Who can even comprehend that kind of love?

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”  – John 15:12-13

During Lent, I like to take some time to reflect on what it means to love others. I reflect on the ways I can lay down my life for my friends. I reflect on the ways I can learn to Love Bigger. Because I know I can always do better and learn new ways to love: as a husband, as a father, as a friend and even as a stranger.My life dramatically changed when I became a husband and began to learn how to love my wife well. And when I became a father, I knew that one way I could love my wife and kids was to work hard so my wife could stay home with them until they started school. In turn, she loved us by laying down her career aspirations and personal desires for our family.When I was 39 years old, I felt a very strong desire to lay down another big part of my life — my career. I had planned to be a very successful businessperson, and I measured that success by how much money I brought home. Even though our family’s income took a big hit, God had called me to serve the poor and I went to work for Compassion International. And I’m so glad I listened. I experienced indescribable joy, seeing children released from poverty in Jesus’ name He was teaching me and my family new ways to love.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

Over the years, my family has been through hard times. We’ve lost loved ones to cancer, seen children pass away and walked with friends through separation and divorce. Life has been hard at times, but I know with absolute confidence that God used those things to teach us new ways to love. And that love has helped sustain us.I’ve served the Lord at Springs Rescue Mission for nine years now, and they’ve been some of the best years of my life. I’ve learned to love people who feel unlovable, and I’ve learned to be loved by them. It has been more rewarding than I’d ever imaginedSo as we head into the season of Lent, I encourage us all to take the next 40 days to think about the ways we have loved others and ways others have loved us. In the midst of chaos, let’s reflect on these things and also meditate on the endless love of God that sustains us.As Christians, let’s love others in ways that reflect God's unconditional love for us. Let’s find new ways to lay down our lives daily for one another. If we try, we can Love Bigger than we have ever loved before!

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