Something has always bothered me about this, however. Matthew 22:36-39 says, "'Teacher (Jesus), which is the great commandment in the law?' And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Placing God first is the essential, most important step in the right direction. We then need to place the needs of others before our own needs and desires. God first, others second, myself third. Do you realize what a wonderful world it would be if everyone did these three things? There would be no wars or arguments or cruelty.
Before we can love others as much as we love ourselves, however, we would have to be realistic about just how much we do think of ourselves! We are truly looking out for #1 most of the time, and #1 is not Jesus!
Even though I earnestly strive to live in this manner, I constantly fall way short of the mark. What can we really expect from a world to which this would be a totally foreign and probably foolish notion?
The incredible thing about belonging to Christ is that, even when I do miss the mark, I am forgiven! God loves me (and you!) as much as it is possible to love. He grants His grace (undeserved favor) to His children in spite of our constant shortcomings. Believing in and belonging to Jesus is the ultimate win-win situation. He is our shepherd here on earth, and He holds our eternity in His nail scarred hands.
I am Linda Stovall, and
I am Third.
Ohhhhhhhh! Such a great perspective! I love this! I will never look at that campaign the same.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love this perspective and do no come anywhere near achieving it. Thanks, my love, for this reality check.
ReplyDeleteThis is great, as usual. I love your perspectives on leading an unselfish life. I fall so short! Thanks for who you are and what you put out there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a little girl I did not have the beautiful clothes that the other girls wore in middle school, nor the lovely Eastern Hills home. Matter of fact, I wore the same clothes nearly every day and it was fairly obvious that I was not part of the same social strata as the other girls who visited your home. However, I very vividly remember that you treated me with sincere kindness, Christian love and non-judgmentalism (unlike many who bullied me or were ashamed to associate with me). I recall that at that time your favorite song was, "He Ain't Heavy- He's My Brother." Thank you for your kindness to a young girl who came from a neglectful background. On a side note, I have achieved a doctoral degree and am a successful metroplex business owner in the social services industry. God bless you for treating others without partiality! You are beautiful on the inside as well as out! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable story, which I just discovered tonight! It certainly gratifies me to know I was a positive in your life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to share these remembrances with me. It means so much to know in some way I
was a blessing to you. May God continue to richly bless you.