"He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." ... Matthew 10:37
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Until I was 35, every time I'd hear that Bible verse in a sermon I'd hang my head in embarrassment right there in the church pew.
Why? Because I loved everybody more than I (truly) loved God. Oh, I appreciated Him like crazy, but love Him more than even my family? Well, not so much.
And I'll tell ya. Back then I had one rough emotional life. When you love people more than God, you're nearly always disappointed, devastated. lonely or upset. The people in our lives make tons of mistakes, say hurtful things (usually unintentionally), ignore us often when we need them most, they laugh in the wrong places, get offended when we're imperfect and __________ (fill in the blank.)
So I'm thinking that one of the reasons God asks that we love Him most is because it's healthier emotionally, mentally, even physically (since I believe all are connected). For God does not disappoint. He never walks away. He always listens, helps, counsels--even at two in the morning when you wouldn't dare call a friend on her cell phone.
If there's any disappointing and abandoning going on--it is not God doing it. God has never made a mistake and He's not about to make His first one with any of us.
But since 1994 when I fell hopelessly in love with God at age 35? Everything changed. Now I truly do love Him more than anyone, thanks to a work He's done in me and oh, my emotions do thank me! Gone (through process, much time and surrender) are my wild mood swings when the people in my life let me down.
Gone is my tendency to invest more in people than I can emotionally afford to lose.
Now I can forgive people's imperfections and slights because hey! I still have Jesus. He's still here. He's still perfect, still hanging out with me and I still love Him most.
As long as I have Him, I'll be ok. And oh, the freedom that knowledge (and experience), brings.
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If I love God most, I'm able to love people better.
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Debra~ Such a great way to explain this verse and so very true.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Lisa :o)
Great post Debra. It gave me lots to think about.
ReplyDeleteI really needed that one today Debra. That is some good preaching and I hope lots of people see this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOdie
A nice read this morning. I find God to be my rudder .. and He keeps me even keeled even during the storms of life (and I've had lots of storms).
ReplyDeleteDebra, we saw 'I Know Where I'm Going' over the weekend. And of course, we enjoyed it. It was so great to see Wendy Hiller, as a young woman.
ReplyDeleteBut those water scenes were tooooooo realistic! I thought I was going to get sea-sick! ,-)
Good luck, in the coming storm!!!
Hugs and ♥'s...
'Cause Valentine Day is coming!