Finding love can help in the darkest of times

Life is full of stories that show how a little caring goes a long way, Pastor J.R. Damiani writes.

I’m not sure how old the song is, but it’s still a popular ballad: “You’re nobody till somebody loves you. You’re nobody till somebody cares. You may be king — you may possess the world and its gold, but gold won’t bring you happiness when you’re growing old; the world is still the same, you’ll never change it as sure as the stars shine above. You’re nobody till somebody loves you, so find yourself someone to love!” It’s a secular lyric, but its message is spiritual and eternal!

Life is full of stories that reflect how a little love, a little caring, or a little reaching out goes a long way!

Bill Sands wrote a book several decades ago titled, “My Shadow Ran Fast.” He tells about his criminal lifestyle that landed him in San Quentin California State Pen before he was 21. He faced long sentences that were concurrent. His crimes were serious. He became known as a “solid con” — one who could not be broken. His home life as a child was unhappy and confusing. He became hateful. Society became the enemy. Inevitably he found himself in solitary.

The Warden, Mr. Duffy, went down in the hole to visit him. The warden pulled no punches. Facts are facts, “Bill, there are two ways that men leave this place, either they walk out or are carried out. I would like to see you walk out.” Bill says that he cursed the warden with every name in the book and finished by saying “who cares?” He remembers the reply as if it were yesterday. Mr. Duffy focused on him and said, “Bill, I do!” Bill Sands will tell you that that was the turning point for him. Something got through. He was a nobody, but somebody cared! It made all the difference for him.

That’s the message of Jesus Christ: “I care” That’s the whole Gospel. It explains the miracle at Cana — “I care”. It explains His reaction toward lepers — “I care!”. It explains His tears at the grave of Lazarus — “I care”. His tenderness toward the dying thief — “I care”, His concern for Peter’s mother-in-law — “I care”. You can travel through the entire 3½ years of His earthly life and find He cares.

Those two words explain the reason for the Center Cross. The fact can’t be dismissed. Men have tried to ignore it but they can’t! History has tried to rewrite it, but it’s there! He died because He cares! It was His choice.

He placed Himself beside the “nobodies” of the world — the lost, the hurting, the guilty, the untouchable by man’s standard. He did it because He loves and cares! There’s no other way to describe it or explain it! It’s called love!

He cares. That’s why the Senate needs a prayer before session. That’s why the military needs chaplains. That’s why the nation is called to prayer during crisis times. Deep inside men know that there’s a God and He is concerned — and He cares!

The bottom line is this, your life will never find meaning until you let Him in, so find yourself somebody to love!