Love

Second in a series of meditations by Tessy Kessler

As we read in Luke 10:27

'You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all  your strength,
and with all your mind,....

we recall this commandment recorded in Deut. 6:5 and also in Mt. 22:37.

Clear and simple isn't it! Or is it not? The English language has only one word to express 'love'. It goes from liking food, things, nature, animals, people, to personal affection for a person, sexual attraction, intercourse, to unselfish giving of oneself .... or spiritual love for God... There are vast differences indeed! Yes, there are some descriptive words to differentiate, but we still use the same word 'love', unlike some other languages which have a whole selection of words to choose from.  But, would we agree that when the word 'love' is used there is somehow a stirring inside?

Now, why are we told to love God? He is our Creator. He holds our breath and our heartbeat. He placed us here, in space and time, moment of history, country and family, environment and friends. He gave us everything under the sun. He gave us His Son, Jesus. When God said to love Him, it certainly is because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19). God is love. (1 John 4:8) Even if our father and mother would forsake us, He never will (Is. 49:15).

That is why He also desires our true love, growing more fervently throughout life. It is the Holy Spirit who stirs us up to love God, bit by bit. So, it is perfectly OK. to pray "Lord, I love You. Help me to love You more".