Be Proactive not Reactive

Scripture Reading - Matt. 22:37-39 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it , Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

As you read today's scripture reading notice the emphasis on the intensity level that Jesus teaches we should have when we love. What do the words, "with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" mean? They mean with all out effort, with every once of our being. This love needs to be directed toward the Lord first and then toward our neighbor or fellow man. We are to love others as intensely as we love ourselves. It is the very proof that we have come to know Jesus. It is very easy for us to be selective to whom we show love. We show love to whom we want to, not to who we are commanded by Jesus to. We show those tolerance or acceptance, or have the attitude that because we do not hate them, we are loving them. That attitude is far from what Jesus wants. He wants us to be proactive in our love for others not reactive. Do not wait to be asked when showing love toward others. If you see a need, be responsive to that need. If you sense someone is lonely, provide them company. If you run across someone that is hurting, lovingly approach them, touch them, offer any assistance. Seek to love. One of the most beautiful statements I have heard lately is this one, "I love love." Do you? Most people love receiving love and when put into practice, most all people love giving love. It is what your Savior wants you to do.

Be Blessed and Live in the NOW