“’And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30

Stretching Us

I taught three exercise classes today. Three classes is one more than I have ever done before, and it was one more than I felt capable of. The third one was added on because the instructor needed me to fill in while she cared for a family need, and I knew I would be caring for her by covering that extra class. Physically, I knew it would be a stretch, but you know what? I started the day asking God for the strength to bring my energy to each class, and though I was tempted to hold back, I gave freely and He supplied what I needed.

Do you feel pushed beyond your capacity? Are you facing a task that requires more emotional stamina than you can maintain? More spiritual leadership than you can muster? More mental energy than you have? Or perhaps, like me, it is a task you normally would not have the physical strength for.

And yet….

God calls us to more. “’And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).

He who calls us to love with everything will be faithful to supply any additional we need. If you are working with people, then you have an opportunity to love them as if they are Jesus Himself.

So let us not hold back. Let us love with everything we’ve got. Let’s give it all.

“Father, we want to love like You love. We trust You to supply what we lack; help us to step up and out as You call us. Amen.”