A Peace of Wisdom

     34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
     37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV 1984)

My current Bible study is on the Gospel of Matthew. When we came to the reading including the above section, we were asked to read also from Deuteronomy 6:1-12, especially focusing for one question on verse 5: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

The question following this reading was:

     What does it mean to love God with all your heart? 
     With all your soul? 
     With all your mind? 
     With all your strength?

Have you ever stopped to look intently at each of these individually and to try to explain what each one means? I had not, and I found it to be extremely humbling and convicting, realizing how far short I fall in all four categories. How I need a Savior and the strength of His Holy Spirit.

My next task is to see what practical changes I can make to keep this, the commandment Jesus says is first and foremost among all. I'm giving some time to work on that one. 

thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (The Message)

In a temporary location, Bob handed me my cup of tea, which I wanted to be right where it had been, at my chair, when I returned. I said, "I didn't really want that, but thank you." Then it occurred to me, that's what I find myself saying to God sometimes.

"I didn't really want to be sick, but thank You for the special times with You it provided." "I didn't really want this problem with our child, but thank You for Your presence and comfort and strength, and the closer relationship with him that developed as a result." "I didn't really want to give up that ministry, but thank You for the new one You will provide." My list goes on and on. And that is what He desires: our recognition of His omnipotent, loving hand in the circumstances of our lives, trusting Him in every situation. We are safe and secure in His care at all times, and we should always thank Him for that, even when, perhaps especially when, the circumstances seem to say otherwise.