There's no denying the totality of the greatest commandment. Keep praying and reflecting on what it means and you realize the weight of loving God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and with all your mind.
Now, if you give God your all, you might wonder what is leftover for anyone else. Thankfully, our all doesn't work like that. Your all isn't a measurement, but a posture. You give your all to God not so much in quantity but in devotion. Likewise, the love of God is not a reservoir that has the potential to run dry. It is a wellspring that always flows, pouring into us and through us, again and again.
So, there is always something left to give to others. To be clear, establishing and protecting boundaries in your relationships is important. That, however, is a different conversation.
Jesus once responded to a test from someone who already knew the right answer they were looking for. An expert of the law tested Jesus to hear his response. The Lord let the expert answer himself how to inherit eternal life. And his answer was right: love God with your all and love your neighbor as yourself.
Mr. Expert pressed Jesus further.
That gives me the impression he was sure he had the love of God part down, but he wasn't quite sure about the neighbor. Or maybe he didn't want to be sure. Or maybe he wanted to see what kinds of neighbors Jesus was willing to be around. Before Jesus answered his other question, he showed the expert and us the simplicity of our faith. Yes, we have our rules and religious dos and don'ts. Traditions and customs are important to us as well. And, most times, for good reason. But if your religion requires you to strip away your love of God or neighbor, you'll be left with an empty, self-centered religion.
Most likely, you know the right answer to the expert's question. Still, take time today to reflect on what your all looks like. Your all to God and to neighbor. Ask God to help you to always love from the overflow of the Spirit's presence.Stay blessed...john |
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