Love God, Love Others

Stop.

Stand up.  Stretch your arms to the sky, slowly breathe in and out.  Now slowly dive and stretch to your feet again slowly breathe in and out.  Last as you breathe in and out slowly stand up tall.  One more breath, slowly in and out.

Listen.  Mathew 22:37-40

37 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 greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Reflect.

I am an only child and I’ve always thought I should have a sibling.  I wanted someone to play with on those lonely afternoons when I was sooooo bored.  As an adult I understand why my parents only had me, but when I was a kid I did not get it.  I am lucky to have parents that love me and I really had no shortage of things I could play or create by myself. Most important they taught me to love with an open heart like Jesus. 

For many years, I thought Jesus was an only child!  Maybe because I was an only child or because Jesus’ siblings aren’t mentioned very much in the Bible.  It was fun to imagine that Jesus’ upbringing was like mine.  To imagine Mary, Joseph and Jesus, just the 3 of them together.  When He’s asked by the church leaders what the greatest commandment is (Matt 22:36), He knows they are trying to trick Him, He has learned from his devote parents and He has learned from His heavenly parent all the laws. Jesus speaks to them plainly in verses 37-40, summarized in 4 words Love God Love Others. 

I am grateful that it is so simple “Love God, Love Others” Humans make rules to protect one another, yet if you think about every rule doesn’t it simplify to just that greatest commandment? 

Pray.

Hey God, every day we need you.  We need your love to flow in and around us.  Help us to live out your greatest commandment to Love GOD and Love Others.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Carry On.

Do an extra thing today with love.  Pray for the person that cuts you off. Say thank you to a cashier. Check on someone that lives alone.