Loving God

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:30)

War in the Middle East. People killing each other over land that God created. Citizens angered over an election. Individuals taking out anger and resentment on their neighbors. Others staying in the grip of the enemy, choosing to stay there, blaming others because their own circumstances are not to their liking. 

As Christians, Jews and Muslims approach this season, we all need to get back to our religious roots of peace and faith, and look to our common ancestor, Abraham. 

All three religions have a common creed: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength; to obey Him in all we think, in all we say and all we do; and to honor and love Him first in all things.

Abraham was chosen by God because he was a fallible, but faithful, human who was obedient to God. He made mistakes, but he was repentant and sought God’s forgiveness. He loved God, and obeyed God’s commands even when he didn’t know what the future would bring.

• When we hate, do we love God?
• When we are unforgiving, are we loving God?
• When we are ungenerous with our attitude, our words and our actions, are we loving God? 

And worse, are we showing God’s love to others? Are we searching our own hearts and allowing God to do His gracious work in us? Are we building His Kingdom?

The apostle Paul, who was a former Jewish teacher of Mosaic law, tells us that we ought to be living sacrifices to God because He has shown us such great mercy. 

In simple terms, it’s called pay it forward. This season, as Christians, Jews and Muslims, if we can show just a small percent – a tithe, if you will – of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness to others, we might just make a huge difference in the world.

Thankfully Abiding in Him

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Dear Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for this glorious day you have made. Thank you for the sun and the wind and the roses and the sunflowers and the special fragrances you have created. Lord, I am so thankful you are in my life. I am so grateful you brought me to my knees and brought me to your son who gave His life to make me pure.

            Lord, I am nothing without you. I was drifting, heading for rapids in which I would drown. You guided me to the door of the house in which you dwell. You gave me ears to hear your voice and eyes to see the outstretched, welcoming arms of Jesus. You said, “Come to me,” and I came. You opened the door and I walked through. Jesus held out his hand and I took it, and felt the rushing, pulsing, breathing, living water He offered.

            I am so humbled to be walking with you now. Yet I know, even though I am yoked to you, there are times I turn my face away. How can I forget your warm, shining presence when you are beside me every moment? How can I forget you hold my heart captive now and for eternity?

            Yet, I do. And each time, you gently take my face in your hands and turn it again to you. When my gaze returns to you and we lock eyes, I remember. I am loved unconditionally, I am forgiven, and I know I abide in your heart, too. I am redeemed. 

I love you, too.