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Two days ago I read an exchange between Jesus and someone who had asked Him about life, and realized it was the perfect answer for my questions about eternity as well as the here-and-now: “ ‘Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?’ He answered, ‘What’s written in God’s law? How do you interpret it?’ He said, ‘That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence – and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.’ ‘Good answer!’ said Jesus. ‘Do it and you’ll live’ ” (Luke 10:25-28, The Message).
So, how does that work out in my life? Loving the Lord our God is obvious, isn’t it? But what about loving our neighbor as we do ourselves? For me it entails not just the principle commonly known as “the Golden Rule” (do unto others as you would have them do unto you), but also remembering that I’m me and no one else.
Try as I might, I cannot be someone else. I cannot be Joe, with his rapid-fire repartee; or Chris, with her phenomenal cooking skills. I cannot be Celia, a marvelous nurse; or Inger, who found great joy and fulfillment in leading hikes for the Nature Conservancy. Nor can I call myself by the names of my sisters-in-law, each of whom works quickly and decisively, no matter the task at hand.
Who can I be? Myself; and I can rejoice in the way I’m made. I can take pleasure in the kitchen, when I accept that I jokingly refer to myself as a slow-order cook. Yes, it takes me longer but each meal is enjoyable when I’m allowed to take my time and, when I’m not rushed, the dishes are done at the same time rather than piling up to be done afterwards. Among my other gifts and talents, I can truthfully say I’m an encourager, an exhorter; and tell you that nothing brings me greater pleasure than being able to make someone’s day by showing them the value of themselves.
I know I’m not often understood, and there are many times when the reaction of some around me can bring me great pain. But when I follow King David’s example – encouraging myself in the Lord – He shows me these people didn’t mean to harm me; they just didn’t “get” me. God does. He knows my heart; my skills; my love for people and animals and all of His creation (well, maybe not sharks and cockroaches). He knows what I’m capable of and praises my attempts to be the best me I can be.
He’ll do the same for you, too, you know. Whatever is going on, however many people there are who don’t have a clue about how you’re hardwired, He knows – because He made you that way. He laughs at your jokes, rejoices in your victories and triumphs, feels sad when things don’t turn out quite right, and is your champion when someone deliberately hurts you. He believes in you – and me (a fact that has helped me survive so many things otherwise impossible to bear). And, He is proud of you, calling you the apple of His eye.
Just so you know, this wasn’t the post I had in mind when I sat down to write you again, however the idea of being loved is obviously what the Lord wants you to consider and accept, and I’m privileged to pass the message along. So…the only one to compare yourself to is you; the only One you need to please is the Lord; and He’s more pleased with you right now than you can possibly imagine. That is the reality you must believe, no matter what, because there really is a purpose for you and your life, you truly are wonderful, and there really is someone out there who would delight in seeing you gone for good. Don’t believe the one who is called the accuser; instead, believe the Lover of your soul.
Believe. Trust. Allow Love personified to carry you through the rough times and remember to soar with Him when things are good.
All of Heaven’s best,
