In the Gospel of Mark, a teacher of the law asks Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus answers:
Mark 12:30-31 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Whenever I am struggling with decisions, I try to filter my questions through this colander of faith. During these last few years, I have come back to this passage again and again. As I wrestle with grief and anxiety, gratitude and silver linings, tough decisions and easy ones, I try to focus on these three things - God, others, self.
Each day, how am I serving or worshiping God? Am I praying? Reading Scripture? Offering praise?
Each day, how am I serving and loving others? Did I check on friends and family? Did I listen when someone needed me? Did I take care of my responsibilities? Did I show patience?
Each day, how am I practicing self care? This is the one no one wants to talk about, but one that simply cannot be ignored anymore. How am I taking care of myself? How am I showing love to myself?
We cannot pour from empty cups. If I am not finding ways to take care of myself, I am not truly honoring the gift of life God has given me, nor can I be fully present in my life. God wants us to live life abundantly, even when that looks different than it ever has. If I am not finding ways to take care of myself, I am not truly at my best to love and serve others. I have no well in which to serve water to others.
It can be a difficult thing to step back, breathe deep, and take care of ourselves. It doesn’t mean being selfish - it means living life with gratitude for your own life as well as others. Slow down. As a friend said recently, “Some times things feel like a lot because it IS a lot.” Some days are easier than others. Filter your days through the Greatest Commandment - focus on God, serve others, but don’t forget to take care of yourself.
This is what I use as my own theological sieve and it is what I center my work around. I love helping you find peace you crave (God), people you love (others), and priorities you need (self). Another way I like to say it is Spiritual. Social. Centered. If I can help you as you work on making decisions, I'm here to help! It is time to fill your cup. Want to know more about the work we do here and our community of friends? Check out my About page. Let me know if you're ready for some fun!
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