In our hearts are the things, activities, people, all the things that we love. Our souls…. What drives us, what we’re passionate about, why we exist. Our minds…. What we think about, what we learn, what we teach. God’s first command is to love Him in all of those things. If He is the core of what we love, how we treat our bodies, why we exist, what we dwell on… there really is nothing else. HE then is our reason. All of these things, though they are “of” Him, are still reflected in US. So, he adds to his command to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is not a less important command, it is equally important, he just mentions it secondly. How do we love ourselves? I would say that our natural desire is to put ourselves first… so that is how we need to love others… putting them first. Really though, when HE is first, and our love for others is greater than our need to love ourselves… we are the true benefactors.
This is so opposite of what the world teaches, even the “Christian” world. I’ve been through so much, don’t I deserve to put myself first once in a while? Or “If mamma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. It’s all about perspective. Yes, as a woman, a mother, I need to take care of myself in order to be whole, happy, and in a position to nurture. God is not disputing that! In fact, He is supporting that wholly! He knows that when we love HIM first in our hearts, souls and minds, that we will be FILLED to capacity with HIM! …the almighty, the all powerful, the great physician, the wonderful counselor, the lover of our souls, the father to the fatherless… Then loving others as ourselves comes “easy”, because we are filled with the love, mercy and compassion of our Savior.
Oh Lord, take me completely over. Have residence in my heart, my soul, and my mind. Fill me up in those areas with your love, with your purpose and with your thoughts. Fill me to overflowing so that those around me will also know you.
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