POST 41: First Things First
POST 41
First Things First
How do I figure out what God wants me to do with my life?
How do I figure out what God wants me to do today?
These questions can feel overwhelming; sometimes you might even wish you had a script to follow or some kind of map to guide you forward. Or even that God would just speak directly and make it all clear!
One of the ways God speaks to us is through Scripture. While the Bible doesn’t necessarily give us straightforward answers about our personal calling or decisions, Jesus does give an answer in Matthew 22 that clarifies our first calling: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself” (vv. 37–39).
First things first, Jesus affirms that God’s will for us is to love God with everything we are and to love our neighbor as ourself. This double “Great Commandment” is our ground rule—our starting point.
What Is Most Loving?
When we want to know what God wants us to do in a given situation, we can start by asking a simple question: What is most loving?
Loving God, others, and ourselves isn’t always simple and surely isn’t easy, but using love as a filter is a true guide.
In part 2 of this book, we looked at a story captured in Luke’s Gospel (10:25–37) tied to this same commandment. The next question posed to Jesus was “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29). In other words, who am I responsible to love? Is it just the people who are like me, or people I don’t like at all?
Jesus answers with a story whose central character (a Samaritan) would have been scandalous to his listeners. What does this mean for us?
Showing mercy is an act of being a neighbor and loving our neighbor. It’s also, by extension, a way to love God. And loving neighbors is not primarily about whether we’re on the “right side” or believe the right things or worship the right way. It’s not about being from a particular background or neighborhood. It’s about seeing an opportunity to show love, mercy, kindness, or goodness to someone and choosing to say yes.
It’s putting first things first.
When you put first things first, the rest will follow.
READING GOD’S WORD
“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:36–40)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
You must not take revenge nor hold a grudge against any of your people; instead, you must love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)
Journaling Questions
Does it make you more or less anxious to think about doing God’s will through the lens of loving God and loving others? Why?
Make three lists with the headings Love God, Love Others, Love Self. Under each heading, write ideas for how you can tangibly show love in each category. Include actions you’re already taking, and brainstorm new ideas you could try. Go back and star something in each category you’ll do this week.
Pray This Prayer
Lord, I want to follow you and to do your will. Open my eyes to see the people around me who need love, and give me the courage to act in love today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Set a daily alarm for about five minutes before you are supposed to walk out the door for school or begin school at home. If you’re using a phone, call this alarm “First” or “First, love.” When the alarm sounds each day, let it be a reminder that above all else, your call this day is first to love: love God, love others, and love yourself.
THE TAKEAWAY
Loving God and loving others are our first two calls. It’s always the way to do God’s will.