Text by Emelita Vargas-Anderson
Read:
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Matthew 22:36-39 (NASB)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [u]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Reflect:
The greatest Teacher of all time, Jesus, when asked what is the greatest commandment in the Law, he focused on LOVE. “You shall LOVE the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind” – you love with ALL OF YOURSELF, whole, redeemed, or not. No other prerequisites; what to bring, what to carry, or what status in life. Just YOU. Yes, you who struggle to pray, crying out for answers to questions, to your doubts. You, who like a lot of us, worried about our loved ones throughout the pandemic. You, the hurt, grieving, recovering you. You who hold grudges, unforgiveness, hidden pain and disappointments – you who need healing.
His commandment was to LOVE HIM. Why? Why not Love oneself first so I can fix all these things I am going through? No, clearly, LOVE HIM first, because this COMPLETES YOU. Yes, that hole you have been trying to fill with everything else in this world yet never worked. Yes, that emptiness you have deep in your innermost self you can’t fathom. His love encompasses it all. You love him and your heart is filled with so much love, there is no room for hate. More of God is more of Love.
As you love God, you see everything in the lens of LOVE and his second command to love others happens naturally. Love ripples to everything you do, around you – even to those who hate you, those you have offended and hurt. Love softens the hardest hearts, eliminates differences, brings down walls. Love, it’s our nature, made in His own likeness and because HE IS LOVE.
Respond:
Brothers and sisters, how much do you love God? Have you submitted all of yourself to him? Let the Lord minister to your heart and heal you. How is your heart towards others? Pray and ask for the Spirit to fill you with overflowing LOVE.
Emelita Vargas Anderson is known to some as Emily but her closest friends and family call her Honey. She's an IT Professional and a Children’s Book Author working in NYC. She writes to inspire, motivate, encourage, and empower happiness. What she likes most about the Word of God is that it remains true in all generations. For her, the Word will forever be her guide in everything that she does in life.
AUTHOR: Emelita Vargas Anderson