I am a runner, so every day I will carve out a little time to make that happen. It’s a real priority in my life because of all the benefits. Imagine my surprise yesterday, when I had just enough time to squeeze in a run and a shower before dinner and the evenings activities, God instructed me not to do so. In the past, I may or may not have allowed my ears to be tuned to hear that gentle voice of instruction, but I clearly did yesterday. I had two children who needed to study spelling for tests the following day, and while I could’ve still made that happen in a different way, I felt God instructing me to sit down and truly focus on them instead of running, and to do so as an act of worship.
Yes, you heard me, it was to be done as an act of worship.
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
Because I love the Lord, I listen to Him. Even when I can’t fully understand the “why”. And as I loved Him yesterday by obeying His prompting, I loved my neighbor as well….(my children).
I literally said to God, “As an act of worship I am not going to run today. Instead, I will really focus on studying with my kids.”
Then I had plenty of time to sit and study and love on two of my babies. It was a beautiful moment.
Not to mention, because I laid down my run, I wasn’t as rushed that afternoon. The day continued in a pleasant and relaxing tempo and we all felt loved.
Do you love the Lord with all your strength? That’s the word used in the book of Luke….
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Luke 10:27
It took all my strength to lay down what I really wanted to do, and instead do what needed to be done. To lay down my own agenda and time table and realize that sometimes it’s better to refrain for the sake of the family.
That day, I was loving my neighbor as myself, and I was loving the Lord with all my strength.
365 Days in the Presence 