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But in that moment of time, the words seemed to jump off the page and fill my mind and heart with such emotion. His Word moved and shifted something deep within my very soul.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5) We read this verse together during a wonderful bible study I attended on Thursday night.
Thou shall love the Lord...
This! I thought.
This is what our Almighty God asks of us---of me. This is what He wants---what He really wants from His people. His greatest command. His greatest heart desire. My God wants me to love him.
This is what He requires... love.
Love Me, He says. Love Me with your whole life--with all you are.
Love Me, Stephanie.
In our home education studies of Ancient Civilizations, the kids and I have been studying the multitude of ancient religions. From before written history, humanity has been worshiping and practicing religion. Most every culture has had gods... or even a god... that they worship. But, besides the Jews, none... absolutely none... are given such an intimate request and command: Love Me.
Other "gods" need to be managed or feared or placated. They need to be appeased and fed and avoided. They want obedience or submission or worship. For weeks as we have studied these other religions I have been moved and blessed by the fact that God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, My Father... is so entirely different than any other "god". His Word is so very unique. He has always been unique and different. He has always been set-apart. And, He will always be.
He alone is God!
He reveals Himself as something totally "other" and He offers something that no other "god" can offer: a love relationship.
What an invitation! He offers us relationship and He asks one primary thing from us.. our love.
I am struck by the thought that when my husband asked me to marry him, he too was asking something from me. He was telling me that he loved me, yes; but, he was asking one thing from me--- love me, Stephanie.
Can you love me... can you return my love?
This. This is what my God, my Husband, is asking of me today. Can you love Me, Stephanie?
Love Me with all you are...