So much more
by Carolyn Ehrlich
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And to love him with all the heart … and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:33).
Read Mark 12:28–34
Have you ever loved someone so much that it almost hurts? That person who captures your whole being? Your heart feels like it would burst from your chest. You gaze adoringly at them. You hang onto their every word. You want to spend time with them. You can’t wait for the next word, whisper, smile, hug, gurgle, coo, phone call. You run to them with all your might. You want to be with them, hold them. You think about them all the time.
How do you love God? Do you hold onto his every word? Desire to spend time with him? Gaze adoringly toward him? Do you look for his whispers, smiles and hugs? As I write this, I am on holiday near McLaren Vale in South Australia. It has been the most beautiful day. The sun has been shining – the warmth of the morning sun gently kisses my face. The scent of the ocean dances gently to my nostrils, and the sound of warbling magpies as they play in the trees is a melody to my ears. Today, I have tasted God. All the things that have delighted me so much today were created by God. None of the most delightful things have been human-made. Today, I know that God loves me. But how well do I love God?
Jesus commands us to love God with all of us. All our heart. All our strength. All our mind. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I don’t even think I can focus on one thing with my entire being for even one second. I cannot even fathom what loving God with all of myself looks, feels, tastes, smells or sounds like. It is so much more than the offerings and sacrifices that I bring. SO. MUCH. MORE. Today, as I see, hear, feel, taste and smell all of God’s creation, I know that loving him is so much more than Sunday worship – although that is important, too. Today, I know that I eagerly wait to be able to love God with all my heart, all my mind and all my soul.
My Heavenly Father, loving you with all my heart, mind and soul is so much more desirable than offering you sacrifices of time, money or material things. Thank you that I can love because you first loved me. Thank you for instilling the taste of your love within me. Help me to love you with everything I am today. Help me to love others as I love myself today. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Prior to retirement, Carolyn worked as a researcher in the disability and rehabilitation fields. Today, Carolyn keeps busy with hobbies, supporting the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various leadership roles and supporting her family.
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