Mark 12:29-31 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
As this verse in Mark states so clearly this is God’s GREATEST commandment. We can’t call ourselves Christians without loving God and loving people. I think often of how intentional Jesus was to hang out with those people that were NOT like him. He didn’t just gravitate to his friend’s or his families’ homes. I am so guilty of just “hitting the easy button” and hanging out with those that are like me – Christian moms, the same socioeconomic group, and those that basically line up with my belief system. It naturally takes more energy to do what Jesus calls us to do – love others – that means everyone!!!!
For me, the struggle is to be vulnerable with others so that they see that God is the one that I lean on for my identity and guidance. I get those walls up with “it’s fine” and find it very hard to open up to others. But I have been so profoundly changed by other people’s honesty and struggles and how they have overcome them by leaning on God. So, I try now to very intentionally meet people where they are. I dare say not one of us hasn’t been hurt, betrayed, or just struggled with daily life at one time or another. But we tend to hide those struggles and act like we have it all together when I hear God saying, “be honest and more open so others can learn from your struggles.”
I strive for the “. . . all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to turn from the worldliness that trips me up constantly!! Jesus took it ALL for us on the cross, He is enough, and we want to show that to others. Literally being His hands and feet to everyone we meet, co-laboring with Jesus day in and day out.
Prayer:
Lord, may we all put this command at the forefront of all that we do. May it truly be our motivation throughout our days, to shine Your light into people’s lives. Thank you so much for what Jesus did for us on the cross! Show us how to love you and to love people well, in your precious son’s name.
Amen.
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 