Jesus replied, “Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt. 22.37
Jesus is responding to the
Pharisees’ question of which is the greatest commandment in the law. His answer
tells me what my priority is – to love God with my whole being. How may I do
this?
As I trace this commandment to
its roots in Deuteronomy, I can understand the human response of love as built
on the love that God has for His people, and His identification with them. John
reminds is that we love because he first loved us
(1 John 4.19).
Yet, whilst my love for God is a response to His love for
me, it is also a gift. God has gifted me with this love, not only for Him but
for all people as well.
Further, I see the two aspects of decision and commitment as
pertaining to the all-consuming love I have for God.
God has given me the gift of love. I may choose to accept
it. I can love Him because He loved me first. I can decide to put God in the
priority position in my life, and to love Him with every part of my being. And
I can commit to following through daily with this commitment. I do!
O Holy God,
I open up every part of
my being to receive Your love and to respond to You from the whole of who I am.
I give You mind, body, heart, soul, and spirit. May no part of me be exempt
from Your holy touch. May I respond to You in love, in my entirety.
I love You, Lord. I
yearn to be consumed by Your love. Fill me to overflowing, please. Let me receive
and let me share, in loving my neighbours. Give me of Your heart, and allow me
to spread the love that You have for all of creation.
I love You, Lord. I
want my whole life to be motivated by Your most wonderful love May I receive in
full measure and may I give equally. You are my all. I lay before You in my
nothingness, and embrace Your everything.
Hallelujah! Bless You.
Thank You. Amen.
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