The most important commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this- Love your neighbor as yourself..." - Mark 12: 29-31 Love your neighbor as yourself. I used to think this was such an easy concept- to love others like you love yourself. I was willing to put others first, to help, to serve people, to speak kind words to those around me. I thought I was being obedient to this commandment. Until one day I realized I was missing an important part of this commandment...I wasn't loving myself. Although I would encourage others- I would tear myself down. I would tell people how beautiful they were- yet I could never see my own beauty. I was quick to lend a helping hand- yet I didn't take time to rest. How could I love my neighbors like myself if I didn't truly love myself? This is a weird concept to talk about. It could be perceived as selfish or prideful. Nevertheless, I think it is important to discuss. Many people suffer with depression, eating disorders, anxiety, poor self image. These same people may also be amazing servants of God- always putting others first. If we don't address what's going on inside, sooner or later it will start showing up on the outside. We need to speak words of encouragement from a place of rest and satisfaction in ourselves. We need to understand our own worth so that we can see the worth in others. We need to truly understand God's love for us before we try to share his love with others. Before you sign up for every activity on the church calendar or volunteer for the next big event. Remember to take some time to check your heart. Remember to treat yourself with compassion. As God opens our eyes to see the needs of those around us, take a moment to look at your heart and notice your own needs. Take a moment to realize how much you need God and how much you also need your neighbors. Love for others should come from a place of love for ourselves. And love for ourselves can only come from the one true authentic source of love. Jesus. So yes love God and love your neighbors. But also don't forget to love yourself, because Jesus loves you too.
1 Comment
Fleur
7/6/2018 02:36:05 pm
Awesome reminder!
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