Nougat 30

Hi

There’s a song in my heart which sums up today’s Holy Nougat. Please listen keenly to the words after reading the nougat and before the reflection of you can.

“And He said to him, “‘You shall love ADONAI your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:37-39 TLV

Love. With every fiber of our being love. Direct that all-encompassing Love Godward. And share the leftover with the neighbors.

Sounds kinda tough. Doesn’t it. It’s bad enough to have to love God First, wholly, soully and passionately; but there are some neighbors … my my my! (Ironically, someone might be having similar thoughts about us ) Yet it is those ones that moved this act to a challenge in obedience. For there are some folks who may help us question our love for God.

But love is not only an emotion; it is also a commandment. Whether in relation to God or others, love is always on our ‘To Do list’. Because we obey in response to to Love (‘If you love me (Christ), keep my commandments); and love is the first thing we’re commanded to do is love. And God sure nuff knows how much of a stretch it can be to love despite …

So what does the commandeered love look like. Almost exactly the same as the regular Love looks. With one exception, it’s a choice towards those whom we do-wanna. The one who lied and got us in trouble, the ones who offend simply by being in our hemisphere, the big ones, the insignificant ones, even (or especially) those who seem to be the incarnation of the devil; and also ourselves.

And how do we love – now that’s the fun part. It involves a lot more than saying the words, although it is sometimes very helpful, for us and the recipient. But it also manifests in being patient with those impossible people; extending kindness where it isn’t deserved and also forgetting the wrongs done to us (I’m still prayerfully working on this one). And the commanded love also invites us to believe and hope for all things (including the change in US towards THEM)

Only by God’s grace and intervention! But doable.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .