We all are busy people. There is always something going on, somewhere to go or something to do. Between work, school, family commitments, sports, hobbies, leisure, etc., we barely have time to breathe. Our calendars fill up more quickly than a rain barrel in a thunderstorm. Let’s face it: we are insanely busy! And yet today, Jesus tells us that there are two additional things that we have to find time to do:
- Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Now if you’re like me, I know what you’re thinking. “I’m so busy as it is, how can I find time to do two more things? And what about me? If I need to do this that means that I won’t have any time left for me. Don’t I deserve some ‘me’ time?” And here is where our lesson presents itself…
It’s not about finding the time to do something else, but it’s about doing something else with the time we have. It’s not about “what’s in it for me” or “what will I gain or lose by doing this.” It’s about finally realizing that without God in my life, I can do nothing. If I can let go of me, I can take hold of God; not as someone to hold onto, but someone be thankful for and to love. I need to be able to dedicate the beginning and ending of my day (and everything in between) all for God’s praise and glory; to love God first with my entire being. For when I put God first, everything falls into place. Everything feels right. I am content as I rest in my creator. My journey has a destination. My life has meaning. My actions have purpose. I find that I am complete.
And then I need to make sure that I am looking beyond myself and looking toward my neighbor. Who is my neighbor? Everyone! Therefore, we need to truly love those around us, and care for their needs before our own.
It’s all a matter of priorities. For when I give my all to God, I am strengthened with his love. And when I freely give of myself and love others, I become fully alive. If we can give to God all that we have until we think we have nothing left to give, or when we can love our neighbor as we do ourselves, it is then that we will find that we have received more than we could ever possibly imagine. When we give more, we receive more in return. For when we give of ourselves out of love, it is then when we discover our true purpose in life.
