I am in love with the Duggars from 18 kids and counting. This week I was reading their family rules, adding some of them to our family rules. I was happy to realize the last rule they had is actually the same rule we use as our first one (as for the rest of the rules, well…there’s a reason they are famous and the Bullis’ aren’t, we could benefit from following them!). It is an easy way to remember the greatest commandment given to us by Jesus in Matthew 22, to love God with our whole hearts and love others. J.O.Y. stands for Jesus first, others second, yourself last.
My kids could say “Love God Love others” at a very young age, its and easy phrase to memorize, but much harder to actually achieve. Jesus said all of the teachings of the prophets and the laws hang on this. It is so much easier to remember that phrase as opposed to every law and commandment ever given, and if we are doing these things we will be following them. I am sure I have blogged about this at least three times, so if you follow this blog you know how important it is to me.
So I was sad today to realize that again I have failed at this simple request. I love God with all of my heart, that is the easy part, but I have struggled again with loving others at all times. I love easily to those that love me back. Why is it so hard to love those that persecute you, or just don’t like you? Why can’t I be Jesus and even love those that throw me on the “cross”? He willingly hung there for those that hammered the nails, so that they could spend eternity with Him.
So today as I reread these wonderful verses I am finding the love for others in the only place I can get it, from the designer of love Himself!
