With All My Heart?

This is my man. Colton Stock, my grandson, and I love him with all my heart. I can’t imagine anything I wouldn’t do for him, or how I could ever love him more. As far as I can tell, I love him with all of my being.

Funny thing about my heart. Even though I love Colton with everything I have, that doesn’t mean that I can’t love others just as much. I love Diane with all my heart. And I tell her so, often using those very words. I love my daughters Cayce and Jamie with all my heart. I also love my granddaughters Emma and Camryn beyond measure.

I know this because of how I feel in my inmost being. I show that love by how I care for them, how I respect and honor them…how I love to be with them and share in their lives. I give them gifts, I pray for them, I want the very best for them…and I would gladly give my life for them…in a single act, if required, or in little bits every day.

How about Jesus? I am a committed Christian. Jesus told us that the most important thing is our love for Him. When asked by someone “what is the greatest commandment?”

“Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. “Matthew 22:37-38 NET

How can I know that I am loving God with all my heart? It can’t be just a feeling deep inside me, can it? Maybe I’m the only Christian around who sometimes struggles to even know if I’m keeping this greatest commandment of my Lord.

It’s easy to sing the songs like: “I love Him better every d-a-y.” But is that the truth? Do I really love him heart, mind, and soul?

How can I show God that I love Hm with all my heart? I can’t take Him to see the Final Four. I can’t travel a thousand miles to watch Him play softball. I can’t just empty the dishwasher without being asked, or take Him to Cape Cod to celebrate an anniversary.

Maybe Jesus does have a way of knowing if we really love him or not. After all, He did say this:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me…” John 14:15, 21 ESV

So, what commandments? After giving us the greatest commandment, He said: “The second (great commandment) is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 NET

And then, if I just read the red print, there are things I don’t necessarily like to read. Things like:

• “Turn the other cheek.”
• “Let your light shine before others.”
• “Do not resist an evil person.”
• “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well”
• “If anyone asks you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
• “Give to the one who asks you.”
• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
• “Give to the needy in secret.”
• “Don’t store up treasure for yourself on earth.”
• “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or what you will wear.”
• Don’t do things that cause others, especially little ones, to stumble.
• “Don’t judge others.”

I’ll stop there. Does He really mean all those things? Seems like all His commandments require me to actively love others in ways that are beyond my comprehension and ability without His enabling power.

How much do I…do you love Him? He knows, doesn’t He?

Keeping all His commandments?

If we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, maybe we will.

Maybe we must.

I’m glad for the clarity that I can love God with all my heart and still love others with my whole heart. In fact, I think it’s required.

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