Today’s Scripture…
Mark 12:28-31
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Thoughts…
I have been listening to and reading books by Joyce Meyer for a very long time. She is a big inspiration in my life. I remember her talking on these verses and saying you can’t love your neighbor as yourself, until you learn to love yourself. You cannot give what you do not have.
It is not selfish to take care of yourself. Sometimes to put someone first, you must first take care of yourself. Kind of like the emergency procedures on airplanes. You put the mask on you first and then your child.. If you pass out, who is going to take care of them?
I believe this concept also applies to the first commandment of loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. If you don’t take care of that heart, soul and mind, what are you going to love God with? Besides you are His creation and if you are not taking time to love yourself, you are disgracing His creation. That doesn’t exactly sound like loving Him.
There is a huge difference between being selfish and loving your self. When you are taking care of yourself, you are still being self-sacrificing. You are giving up your wants to do what is right for you. So learn to take care of you. And you will be able love your neighbor as yourself.
Prayer…
Lord, thank you for loving me. Please remind me to stop and take care of this creation so I can love others. ~amen
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