“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
with all your heart… Your heart is the vital center of your being, emotions, and sensibilities. When my emotions are running on high I have to do a heart check. To love God with all our hearts we must be willing. Willing to do what? Whatever it takes, no matter what the cost. When Jesus chose the twelve disciples he didn’t do so because of their faith. He didn’t choose them because of their abilities or social status. He picked them out of the hundreds of people that followed Him because they had a willing heart. I want to be willing. I want God to create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10.
with all your soul… Your soul is eternal. It’s the deepest part of you. Can love that deep for God really exist? Not without God. One of my sister’s reminds me constantly that it takes God to love God. To love God with all your soul it must first be restored. Ask Him to restore your soul. Psalm 23:3. He will. Walk in obedience to Him. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide, and then you will love Him from the deepest parts of your soul.
with all your mind… This is the battlefield. This is my biggest struggle. I often find myself so engulfed in thoughts I leave no room to love the God that created the brain I think with! The enemy knows this is my weak spot, which reminds me there is no room for spiritual laziness and I must keep my armor on and stay in the battle. Meditate on God’s promises. When self-defeating thoughts pop into your head, speak what you know is true; and speak it with a smile on your face. It leaves Satan furious. Seek God with your mind and it will be renewed. Romans 12:2.
with all your strength… You can’t persevere without strength. Endurance can’t exist without it. Where do you reach for your strength? Do you reach for yourself or God for that strength? I am guilty for relying on my own power to accomplish the big and little things in this life. God usually has to knock me over with the humble stick before I realize that once again, my strength is not sufficient. God reminds us that He will strengthen us and help us. He will uphold us with his righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10. I must put aside my pride and ask for His strength; He promises He will give it. Besides, when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10.
Love God. But don’t do it half-heartedly. Do it with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. After all, it is the most important commandment.
