Love YOU More

My husband gave me this card for my birthday last year and it was ‘spot on!’  I immediately took a pic and posted to our family ‘GroupMe’ saying, “How perfect is this card?”  My kids know. . .

But then, conviction set in.  What was initially cute and funny soon gave me real cause to consider.  . . How much, Lord, do I ‘love’ these things?  Could I give them up, for You?  Are they in any way interfering in Your will for me and Your work through me? 

I had actually been giving up alcohol for Lent for a number of years and during those ‘seasons’ did not find it too difficult.  But, could I give it up for good if the Lord convicted?

And coffee, ugh!  My morning routine includes using my favorite kitchen appliance, our espresso maker, with which I make a large latte (I even have the flavored syrups).  I then spread out at our kitchen table to work on my Bible studies, read His Word and journal my prayers.  The thought of giving up that key element– the coffee – really caused my heart to sink.

In Matthew 19: 16-22, Jesus is approached by a ‘rich young man’ who, after asking what he must do to have eternal life, was told he must keep the commandments.  When Jesus names specific ones (those that impact our relationships with others) the young man says he’s kept those and asks, ‘what else?’  Jesus calls him to give up what is most precious to him, his wealth, and to follow Him.  Sadly, the man walks away.  So sad.  But so thought-provoking.  That poor man was clinging to his ‘love’ and couldn’t fathom giving that up for Jesus.   What is it that is most precious to you?  What is it that is the hardest to trustingly release into His hands?  Is He worth it?  We are all guilty of breaking the first commandment (and in turn, all of them) for anything we value more than loving the Lord with our heart, soul, mind and strength is idolatry.  That’s why we need Jesus.  

Our salvation depends on Him.

And with the help of His Holy Spirit we can also relinquish anything that would interfere in the abundant life He offers us as we follow Him.

Part of that abundance is peace in our relationship with others, especially in our marriages.  One of my favorite movies is Fireproof.  And there is one scene that just makes my heart melt.  The husband who has been truly discovering what it means to ‘seek’ the Lord wholeheartedly as he works to save his marriage, replaces the computer on which he spends hours daydreaming about boats  (and where he is tempted toward pornography) with flowers and a note for his wife that reads, “I love you more.”  He ‘identified the object of lust’ and removed it from his life’ and ‘replaced it with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.’  (The Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick)

God wants us to consider the same in our relationship with Him.  What objects of ‘love’ or lust need to be removed and replaced with wholehearted love for and obedience to Him? How can we ‘love Him more?’ Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:38-39, “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it. . . “  But then He promises, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”  True joy, peace and contentment are found in ‘losing’ ourselves, our passions and desires,  and seeking Him first!