Love, The Command

No joke there.
GOD is the authority of everything. Everything. From the tiny little ant to the biggest mountain. The weather... the sky and the moon- all of the heavens and earth and everything in between.
We, GOD’s own are commanded to love. First, love the LORD with everything we got and secondly, love our neighbor, as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
This is big stuff! As a matter of fact: the requirement of loving our neighbor is repeated over and over again.
Yet, it is one of the most difficult challenges we face. You mean I gotta love everyone? The murderer? The greedy? Those who are just mean spirited? The dad who abandoned me?
For me personally, the most agonizing to me; love the one who tortured me as a young innocent child.
GOD knew this was not going to be easy. And in that, the only way it is possible is with HIM.
Oh, by the way... what does this loving look like? JESUS was tortured, spat on. Laughed at. Whipped until HIS skin ripped away. And then made to carry the cross where HE would later be nailed to and die. And through that, HE asked GOD to forgive them all!
Loving doesn’t mean to give big hugs and hang out every day. It doesn’t even mean to be in another’s presence.
One of the most powerful ways to love is to pray for each other.
I prayed for many who hurt me. It was agonizing at first. I could feel the pain. But with the help of a Christian 12-step program, I am learning to love and forgive.
And you know what?
That includes my own self!
We receive a beautiful miracle when we love. My heart beats differently. I am lighter. My hate, resentment, and hurts are no longer a cornerstone.
I am commanded, and demanded to love, first GOD above everyone and everything. And then all my fellow humans. The key... is loving GOD first because without HIM the whole loving others is impossible!
#ThankYOUJESUS ​

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