Legendary blues artist Bo Didley penned these words as the title to a song: “Who do you love?” So, who, or what, do you love? In a book I’m reading, a group of seminary students are sitting at a table in the seminary dining area. Their conversation is all about criticizing the church and church people. One of their teachers has overheard the conversation/criticisms and stops to offer this point: Do you know that God loves the church as much as God loves you? In all their conversation they hadn’t talked about that. How often do we think about that regarding anyone or anything or even ourselves?
In this month that hosts Valentine’s Day, let us all think more about what Jesus’ greatest commandment means. Love God with all that you are. And, love your neighbor as yourself. All of this because God does. The next time we want to criticize or make fun of someone, let’s stop and remember that God loves them as much as God loves us. Let’s also remember those other words Jesus said: whatever we do to the least of these, we do to Him. While God can handle the worst we can give Him, it doesn’t mean He likes it or we should do it. The same goes for the people around us.
There IS a God, and He IS serious about Bo Didley’s question and how we answer it, and live our answer.
Dear Lord, if we get no other help, please help us to love You, one another, and ourselves. Happy Valentine’s Day!
