I recently came across some research done by the search engine Yahoo a few years ago. They complied a list of the most searched words on the internet. Know what the top two were? Truth and Love. In their findings Yahoo stated: “many of us are still trying to find meaning for some of life’s littlest big words.”

I want to focus in on the word love for a moment. Love is a word that can be used in a variety of ways. I tell my wife that I love her and yet I also say that I love ice cream. Hopefully there is a difference between the two types of love I just mentioned. for this difference is important. Jesus called his followers to love their neighbors. And he didn’t just leave it at that,  He told them how they were to love them.

He said love them as you love yourself.

Not as you love your spouse,

or you love your country,

or you love your favorite sports team.

So how exactly do we love our neighbors as ourselves? Let me give you one suggestion. Double Up! The next time you decide to do something for yourself like buy a cup of coffee, or get a hair cut, or go to the movies turn around and do the exact same thing for another person around you. Buy two cups of coffee. Pay for a strangers haircut. Mow your neighbors lawn. Shovel and extra driveway full of snow. If you are willing to do it for you….be willing to do it for them.

You just might find that your loving your neighbor as yourself.

Have you ever seen someone love their neighbor this way? What was the response?