“As emotionally mature Christians adults, we recognize that loving well is the essence of true spirituality. This requires that we experience connections with God, with ourselves, and with other people. God invites us to practice his presence in our daily lives. At the same time, He invites us “to practice the presence of people,” within an awareness of his presence, in our daily relationships. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day, the “church leaders” of that time, never made that connection. They were diligent, zealous, and absolutely committed to having God as Lord of their lives. They memorized the entire books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. They prayed five times a day. They tithed all their income and gave money to the poor. They evangelized. But they never delighted in people. They didn’t link loving God with the need to be diligent, zealous, and absolutely committed to growing in their ability to love people. (page 179-180)
The amazing thing about God is, nothing happens by accident; even the relationships that we have. He can set up relationships with people for so many reasons, for us to grow, for them to grow, and to show His love to others. Just as our reading says, we can’t get stuck doing all the “right” things that we simply forget to love on people. Of course, His desire is for us to love Him with all our hearts, but the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let’s love on others the way that Christ loves us. John 13:34
Pastor Anedra