 |
| Bible Study/Journaling from earlier in the week - November 2024 |
Good morning beautiful people,
I used the YouVersion app during my Bible Study this morning.
The verse of the day was from Matthew 22:37 - 39 which begins with Jesus answering a question from a Scribe. This question is the third one in a series of questions from a group of Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes (will do a post on all these people). The Scribe wanted to know which of the commandments (referring to those Moses had shared aka the 10 Commandments) is the greatest.
Jesus answers that love is the greatest of them all.
 |
| Screengrab from YouVersion App - November 2024 |
For those who have not used YouVersion, they have the Bible in various translations, a couple of reading plans and also do a verse of the day. The verse is different everyday, and starts with the presentation of the verse, followed by a commentator (mostly a Bible Teacher or Preacher from across the globe), a commentary with reflection, and lastly an invitation to prayer.
Today's commentator summed the reading as an elevator pitch for the Bible. He went on to mention that how we love God, and others is important, as it may be the only Bible some people get to read.
This latter part inspired me to do an audit of sorts using the variables given in this verse - God, neighbor and self. I know - but the research student in me could not help it. Using a simple self survey (which i know in research terms is HEAVILY BIASED), i rated my love for God, self and others on a scale of 1-10 (and no I did not have an appropriate analysis tool) in relation to how much Bible reading people would do, if my actions 'were the only Bible they read.
I did not perform well.
Though I have been going to church and reading the Bible (just finished 2 Samuel), my heart, soul and mind have been elsewhere for the last couple of months, and consequently my love for self and others has been sub-par.
I would like to work on improving my 'love score'.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians reminds me that if I did everything but love was not in the mix, all my actions amount to nothing. If this is the standard, I clearly have a lot to work on...maybe 2025 will be my year of love (not in the romantic sense - but if someone's uncle sneezes in my direction, I am catching feelings).
But before strays are caught, I would like to go back to the Father's love a la the Prodigal Son. I would like to go back to loving myself while at it and being present for those I have been called to work with (people struggling with their mental health).
So my prayer today is this:
Lord teach me to love.
Teach me to love you with all my heart, my soul and my mind.
Teach me to love myself and to give myself grace as you have done over and over again.
Teach me to love others with the love I receive from you, share with you, and hold for myself.
Teach me to make love the currency I operate with, let everyone I interact with learn more about you from those transactions.
Sending you all loads of love and light,
Sitawa
