Loving Others

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandement greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

I was recently challenged by these verses after completely the book, "Kisses from Katie" Katie has a video that goes along with ehr book and it really made me think of these verses, especially the part that reads, love your neighbor as yourself.

I do not want to be hungry.
I do not want to be cold.
I do not want to be naked.
I do not want to know pain.
I do want to be sick.
I do want to be alone.
I do want to be without...

If I am to love my neighbor as myself, then wouldn't I take care of my basic needs as well as helping others out? If I am hungry, I feed myself. If I am cold, I get a blanket. If I am without, I get it. So why is that when I see my neighbor hungry, I walk right by? Why is tt that when I see the lonely orphan, I turn my face. Why is that when I see people without, I feel sorry for them and do nothing.

I would never treat myself this way. In fact, I often spoil myself and make sure that I am more than comfortable. I wish I would have realized the true meaning of these verses sooner in life. I have wasted so much time on me. I am a selfish human being. I was selfish as a teenager, always wanting what was best for me. I was selfish in college, thinking that I had it worse than others. I am selfish now as I buy groceries week after week and do not stop about the family struggling next to me.

I do not think of my neighbors as much as I should. I do not love people like Jesus does, I am ashamed. I am humbled that my Lord has not given up on me. I am so thankful for his grace as He allows me to figure this out again and again.