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Daily Devotions for the Advent and Christmas Seasons
Tuesday, December 8
Matthew 22:34-40
by Linda Lee
Jesus reminds us that the greatest commandment is to love God “with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” We’ve heard it many times but have we thought deeply about it?
At the Fall PCC Retreat, “Choose Life”, we discussed choices that we’ve made in our lives and the impact those have had on ourselves and others. As I think now about some of my choices that I shared with others, I realize that this commandment is at the root of the important decisions I make. To love God in my mind, heart, and soul is to be pleasing as a whole human being in God’s sight. I must consider and make a choice that shows my love for God.
During the time when I was dealing with divorce and many uncertain relationships in our church and my personal life, I had a little sign on my desk at work. Whenever I felt despair, anger, resentment, or bitterness clouding my heart, I would look at that sign and pray. It said, “Choose Love, Choose Forgiveness.” I believe that the ability to love and forgive are gifts that God showers us with. And I need a great shower of them sometimes because it’s easy to get discouraged with the world’s troubles and personal problems. If I follow the great commandment to love God, I really have only that one standard against which to measure all the decisions in my life.
I’ve considered plenty of choices recently. Should I accept the Presbytery leadership responsibility? Is this a good time to retire? How can I best support members of my family? How much do I pledge to the PCC budget? These all become questions of how I show my love for God in my actions, in my commitments, in my relationships.
Prayer
God, I pray that now and throughout the day I will let the love of you be in my heart, soul, and mind. May the words I speak today and the choices I make be ones that show my love for you. Amen.