by Andrew Smothers, Frontier Fellowship Board Member
Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to “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). But life can weigh us down, causing us to struggle showing our love with our entire heart, soul, mind and strength.
We can be overcome with emotion that distracts us. Perhaps it’s a person who’s challenging us at work or school, a loved one we’ve lost, or even a happy pursuit that takes us away from God. Maybe it’s a feeling we can’t quite explain. Sometimes, we can feel captive to the will of others or a desire within ourselves.
Our minds can fail us. The information that feels like it should be readily available is missing—names, facts or memories seem lost. Our bodies can fail us. Perhaps our strength is absent due to exhaustion, disease, abuse or fatigue.
We know from experience, scripture and science that the heart, soul, mind and strength are connected. A challenge in one often affects all areas of our being. What’s troubling you today? Your heart? Your soul? Your mind? Your strength? All or some of these?
Jesus quotes the above passage from Isaiah in Luke 4:18–19 before saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He offers Good News to the oppressed, the brokenhearted, the captive, the prisoner, the mourners, the faint in spirit—to everyone like you and me. This Good News carries true freedom that binds up, proclaims, comforts, makes beautiful and gives joy.
Jesus invites us, “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). What is Jesus offering you today for what ails you? His call to love Him with our entire being is not a call we need to accomplish ourselves; it’s one He enables through His Spirit. As we experience the healing He offers, we can extend the hope of that healing to others, proclaiming the liberty and restoration only He can give.
Follow along with our daily devotional series for the Advent season.
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