“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-39 NIV
As Christians, when we think about how best to interact with others, we often think of what Jesus said when asked what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22. Loving others is second only to loving God.
Loving others comes more easily for some of us than others. I am in the camp of: “it can be a lot of work.”
Sometimes loving others can be difficult because in my attempt to show that love, I find it difficult to say “no” to things. Helping this one, attending this event, taking on another project, finding time to visit with another; yet each one of these things can be great and healthy ways to love others as God loves me.
God’s love for us emanates from an infinite well of grace with unlimited coverage over all that was, is and ever will be. His love permeates Creation through His omnipresence.
He doesn’t love out of guilt, or FOMO (fear of missing out) or some other sense of obligation.
When I find myself hitting a wall of weariness from overcommitting in an attempt to love others through service or relationship, I have to remember: loving others is more than just the things we do. Loving others is an attitude of our hearts. Loving others as God does is something He does through me, by His Spirit. I don’t have to worry about being everywhere all the time.
I pray to be where He wants me.
Remember the verse we’re meditating on this week?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When Jesus and I are yolked together, we are pulling in the same direction by God’s Holy Spirit. Thinking about verses we started with today: this means loving God first and then loving others as we love ourselves.
Whatever we commit to, we are wise to understand how it lines up with these first two commandments. If it doesn’t, we should consider how this commitment will take up our margin.
PRAY: “Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word and thank You that You promise to give us rest when we come to You. Help me to find margin in my life, while loving You and those You have put in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen”
