Originally published Tuesday, 13 March 2018.
People are fickle. In Jerusalem, Jesus was popular one day. Many days later, similar crowds yelled, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him."
This is why we don't live for man, but for God. This is why our worth isn’t dependent on how we’re received, but on how we are freed through Christ. This is why we don't bend backwards to do what God is not calling us to do.
Yes, we love. We do what God calls us to do...but not to the point of hating ourselves, our answer or the decision that we knew we shouldn't have made. (but felt obligated to say yes to)
Jesus says "love your neighbor as yourself." (Mk. 12:31)
We can only give the best of what is in us. There must be love in the water reservoir in order to hand it out to the city.
I considered this recently when I talked to my husband. He said, "We can give money at the start of the year, rather than on a monthly basis because this is what I feel is right for the family..." I can feel at peace about it. I can love myself enough to take care of my family the right way - rather than feeling obligated to give the wrong way.
I also considered this when I got behind on writing blog posts. I can love myself enough to say I need to slow down and be around my family. I can be kind. If you noticed, a bit back, I wrote a little less.
A few moments ago, the phone rang. It wanted my attention. But to give attention to whoever that person was would steal my attention from you. I love myself enough to keep the peace of where I am, rather than being rushed to the next thing.
When we rightly take care of "us,” we can rightly take care of "them."
In what ways have you gotten this backwards? In what ways have you tried to take care of them, so you could feel good about you?
This kind of sacrifice tends not to breed sacrificial love, but resentment and bitterness. Only when the well of our heart fills with God-given rest, hope and love does our well never run dry.
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