"40 Days of Love" in American Sign LanguageSample

Life Is a Lesson in Love
By Rick Warren

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39 LB)

If you want your life to count, you have to focus it. You don’t have time for everything, and not everything is of equal value.

Matthew 22:36-39 says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself’” (LB).

Jesus said two things are more valuable in life than anything else: loving God and loving each other.

Have you ever wondered why God didn’t just take you to Heaven when he created you? Why did he put you on Earth? You’re only here for 100 years at the most, and you’ll live for eternity in Heaven or Hell. Why didn’t God just take everybody to Heaven?

The Bible is very clear that God put you here on Earth to do two things: learn to love God and love other people. Life is not about acquisition, accomplishment, or achievement. It’s not about all the things the world tells you it’s about. You’re not taking your career to Heaven. You’re not taking your car to Heaven. You’re not taking your house to Heaven. But you are taking your character. You’re taking you.

God put you on Earth for 80 to 100 years so you can learn to love him with all your heart and learn to love others. Life is one giant lesson in love.

Talk It Over

What are the things you need to stop focusing on so that you have more time to show love to others?

How are you making the most of your time on Earth? How much time do you spend learning how to love like Christ?

If someone looked at your life, what would he or she say are the most important things to you?