Day 24 - The Greatest Commandment: Love

by Gretchen Watkins

Matthew 22:37-40

There are many days I struggle with life decisions. How do I handle that difficult coworker? What do I say to that person who made me mad? How do I guide my child through a challenging choice they need to make? What should I be doing with my life? Even simply, what am I going to cook for dinner?

I often wonder how God wants me to handle a situation, a conversation, a decision. It would be so much easier if God would leave me a note on my desk with instructions about how to proceed.

Well, I haven’t found any notes from Him on my desk. But He has given me pretty clear instructions. The instructions don’t change, and I can always turn to them and know they are the best answer.

Matthew 22:37-40 says, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” 

So,

The difficult coworker? Love.

That person who made me angry? Love.

My child’s challenge? Begin with love.

What should I be doing with my life? Loving God.

What to make for dinner? Even for this one, the answer starts with love. (really!)

We let a lot of things cloud our judgement. But we should allow every answer to start from a place of loving God and of loving our neighbors. If our hearts are rooted in a desire to love our Father and all of His children, our decisions and choices will be headed in the right direction.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we love You so much. Help our love for You guide our days and all that we do. Let our love for You pour onto our neighbors. May we remember every day that this is Your commandment for us.