Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The verse above is one of many verses like it throughout scripture that the Lord has me meditating upon this week. It really does sum up our primary purpose on this earth. As Christ Followers, we are not just called, but commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – and then love our neighbor as ourselves. It is a mistake to read this command and move on. Because to soak in this truth would radically change everything in our lives!. . . Have you ever fallen, “head over heels in love” with someone? So much so, that you would daydream about that other person – it would literally consume your every thought? . . . when you are in love like this, you are not be able to fully concentrate on anything else because deep inside your heart would be longing; dreaming about your love. . . THAT is what I think of when I read that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. . . that is truly presence minded and it would cause us to be overflowing with JOY and all of the fruit of the spirit!. . . if you sincerely think about it, you may conclude, like I do, that the only person I think about anywhere close to that often is myself. I don’t feel egotistical or self-centered to that point that I come across prideful. But I sure make a ton of decisions based on what I want or like and definitely not putting others before me. In fact, it pains me to say that I often find that I am far too busy for you, or anyone else. . . For sure, this is not the Fathers heart. . .

I heard a great sermon over the weekend about why Adam and Eve were naked, but not ashamed in the garden of Eden, before the first sin. Adam and Eve were in Love with both God and each other. They were so focused on that love, driven to serve each other in perfect love that there was no room for the self-conscious or self-serving thoughts. This sure seems like a great picture of the Father’s heart. It was sin, that brought our awareness of our fallen condition and we began to turn our hearts inward.

So, I ask myself – Is this kind of love and other’s focus even possible today? . . . Frankly, I don’t know the answer to that question. But through Jesus, He has restored our relationship to the Father. And the more we spend time with God, the more we become more like Him. Never in our own strength – only through soaking in the word, prayer and spending time with God will our hearts begin to turn outward toward Him and toward each other. It comes with getting to know, and falling in love with God. This sure seems to be a critical ingredient to fulfilling our divine purpose!

I Am Sometimes Far To Busy For You