Heart, Soul, & Mind
When asked what the greatest commandment was, it appears Jesus did not hesitate with His reply. But three words in that statement really stick out, and I believe it is a place we should focus on; heart, soul, mind. I don’t believe it is a coincidence the enemy targets these three areas of our lives with all the weapons he has. It is when our hearts are turned towards God that everything else falls in place, but the enemy will try to corrupt our hearts. Our souls are eternal beings, but when hope is delayed, our soul suffers. Our minds are troubled by worry, anxiety, because of the things of this world. When we place our confidence in our own strengths alone, or our hope in things of this world, or when we prefer things, this life, or other people before God, we position ourselves for compromise. When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, it is like the perfect cooperation of musicians in a symphony who, in the midst of seemingly chaotic circumstances, create beautiful music. Our lives don’t have to be perfect to love God, but loving Him creates perfect peace and is the purpose for our existence!
It’s not much different in our relationships with our spouses. If our minds wander into places we should not be, or if we allow our hearts to be given to another aside from our spouse, we don’t have to climb in bed with them to be consider unfaithful. We’ve already been unfaithful. What would it take to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Total surrender. Daily surrender. Live open-handed and love others well! Before we can be great lovers to our spouses, before we can possess great brotherly love, before we can love ourselves in a healthy manner, we must love God completely and our lives will bear the fruit of that love. We won’t be perfect, we will mess up, we will sin, at some point. But thank God for His new mercies every morning! Thank God for His sustaining grace! Thank God for forgiveness! Love God today. Do it through worship, whisper “I love you” often to Him, even when times are hard and it doesn’t make sense in the flesh. While you’re at it, tell your spouse how much you love them, not just with an “I love you,” but break it down; why!!!
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40 NLT
Heavenly Father, Reveal to me how I can love You with all my heart, soul, and mind, how my life can be pleasing to You. Give me the pathway to love You, others, and myself. Thank You, Father, for loving me perfectly! -Amen
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