A WORD FOR TODAY, May 15, 2025
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, May 15, 2025
“See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him. Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him. Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:1-8, WEB
Keanu Reeves is known for his kindness. Stories abound about his generosity. He saved a woman who was about to be evicted from her home by paying her bills. He often gives money from his earnings to other people working on his films because he believes they deserve more. He gave a large amount of money to a set designer as a bonus because the family was having difficulty. He helps on set, carrying equipment or other labor. He hangs out with people, fans and others, just because he wants to be with them. He once drove a girl out of his way because her car broke down. He’s humble, or as one article suggested, “self-deprecating.” He is incredibly generous with his resources, giving to charity secretly through a private foundation that aids children’s hospitals and cancer research.
A story from 2019 caught my eye this morning. He was on a flight from San Francisco to Burbank that was forced into an emergency landing in Bakersfield. The airplane landed safely and everyone was unhurt, but they were stranded about two hours from their destination. Keanu Reeves could have easily hired a private car and taken off while the other passengers had to wait or struggle to find a way, but instead he helped coordinate a large van. When the van arrived, he joined the other passengers for the tedious journey through the desert, and he spent the time entertaining them with stories and trivia, joining in singing, engaging in conversation. The passengers told stories of how Keanu helped calm them during the trip. He helped unload the luggage and then slipped away without fanfare.
He is quoted as saying, “I believe that kindness is the most important thing in the world. It doesn’t matter how much money or fame you have - what matters is how you treat others. We all go through difficult times, and the best way to help others is by showing them compassion and understanding. I’ve experienced a lot of loss in my life, but I’ve learned that the key to moving forward is by being kind to yourself and others. Life is unpredictable, but kindness is always within our control. We can all choose to be kind, and that makes the world a better place.”
Keanu went to a Catholic school but does not have confidence in his eternal destination. I’m not sure that his kindness to others has anything to do with trying to earn his eternal bliss, he seems to be so naturally kind and generous, but he offers an excellent model for how we who know Jesus are meant to live. Jesus Christ commands us to love one another and lay down our lives for our friends. We are commanded to bear fruit, lasting fruit, fruit built on love. His command is that we live as He lived, in selfless, sacrificial love, not only to those who treat us well, but to everyone. We are to serve our neighbors then slip away without fanfare. Sacrifice means giving up something, perhaps something we love or something we have earned through our own suffering. It means changing our ways.
When we practice sacrificial love, we do not experience a sense of loss or emptiness because we find real joy in the relationship we have with Jesus Christ through our obedience to His commands. The grace of God does not come to us because we are obedient or kind or generous. Instead, we receive God’s grace which fills us with His love until we can do nothing other than be obedient and kind and generous. We thank God for His grace by joyfully abiding in His love, sacrificing for others as Jesus Christ sacrificed for us.
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