Have you ever realized that someone was talking to you, but you weren’t really listening? Maybe you were checking your phone or thinking about everything you needed to get done. You were there, but your mind was somewhere else. I think we’ve all done that.
Sometimes we do the same thing with God. We pray, come to worship, or read scripture, and then get busy with our day. Before we know it, hours have passed without us thinking about God’s presence.
Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That little word “all” asks a lot of us! How do we love God with everything we are while keeping up with the demands of everyday life? Here are a few ways we can practice that kind of “all in” love.
Love God with your heart. Tell God what is really going on with you. If you are worried, say so. If you are frustrated or disappointed, bring that to God, too. We don’t have to sort out our feelings before we pray. Begin the morning by thanking God for something good and sharing whatever is weighing on you. Ask God to help you face the day with patience, kindness, and a heart willing to love.
Love God with your soul. Make some room to be with God. That may mean sitting quietly with your coffee before the day gets going, taking a walk, or singing a favorite hymn while you wash the dishes. Come to worship, even when you feel tired or distracted. Sometimes those are the days we most need a reminder that God loves us and that we are not alone.
Love God with your mind. Ask questions. Keep learning. Read a few verses of Scripture and take time to think about them. What do they help you understand about God? What might they mean for your life today? Listen to someone whose experiences are different from yours. Pay attention to what you are filling your mind with and how it affects the way you see and treat others.
Love God with your strength. Use what you have to care for someone. Make the phone call. Offer to help. Take time to listen. Some days you will have more energy to give than others, and that is okay. Caring for your body and getting some rest matter, too. Even on a hard day, a small kindness can express love for God.
Jesus reminds us that loving God and loving our neighbors belong together. What we sing and pray on Sunday should shape how we treat people throughout the week. Today, let’s each choose one way to put this love into practice. We can start with the person in front of us, the task at hand, or an honest prayer. These everyday moments give us opportunities to love God with all that we are.
Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too.