Strong Start - a Devotion on StrengthExemplo

Strength to Love

How's your love life going? For some, this might be an absolutely cringe-worthy question. But, really, how is it going? Is it working out for you? Is it driving you up a wall?

In case you haven't realized it yet, the type of love life in question here isn't the romantic kind. Instead, it is the kind reflected in the focus scripture above which highlights two very important commandments.

How well are you loving God?

How well are you loving others?

When all has been said and done, it will boil down to one thing: your love life. This is the litmus test. This is the measuring stick. This is what really matters to God (who is love).

For the scripture to conclude by mentioning that there is no other commandment greater than these, that has to mean it's serious business. The business that we need strength to tend to because the work of love is heavy and holy. But there is help available to us. The one who commands us to love will also help us to love.

The beautiful thing about God is that He doesn't just command us to love, but He is willing to teach us; to lead by example; to hold our hands through the process, holding it tighter on the days when we fall short.

Father, thank You for being love. Today, I commit myself to the work of loving You and others in a way that glorifies You. As you strengthen my ability to love, let others look at my life and see You.