ultimately,
it's a call to love authentically...
Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind - This is the first and greatest commandment - And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself..." Matthew 22:37-39
love God, love your neighbor - as yourself
choosing
simple
authentic
helpful
responses
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Galatians 6:4-5 [MSG]
Eugene Peterson
God, I desire to know, understand and offer Your 'good'
please use any means necessary to keep me focused on what You call 'good' in me and all others, as I work on responding always with love...
and show me the self that can always be loved
created
SELF
primary - infinite - spiritual
unconditional
'S'ense of
Purpose
'E'xtraordinary
Gifts
'L'ove of
the Greater Good
'F'oundation of
Beliefs & Values
creative
SELF
secondary - finite - human/flesh
conditional
'S'ense of
Power
'E'xtraordinary
Resources
'L'ove of
Greatness
'F'oundation of
Proof & Measurables
God, give me wisdom to maintain a healthy balance
where my creative SELF seeks to support & embolden the created SELF
created & creative
SELF
'S'ense of
Purpose | Power
'E'xtraordinary
Gifts | Resources
'L'ove of
the Greater Good | Greatness
'F'oundation of
Beliefs & Values | Proof & Measurables
as my authentic self
may I focus on seeing
the good that exists
in the space I share with others
and do my creative best
to enjoy the blessings
that this good brings
SELF in the 'HOODS
coCreate a loving response through integration of the authentic SELF into relational spaces
SELFHOOD
- KNOW WHAT'S GOOD -
in the innermost being, receiving God's perspective and renewing a God-centered SELF
remind me of what You call good and show me the good work You have for me to do
PERSONHOOD
- SEEK WHAT'S BETTER -
in relationship with others, refining understanding of living & loving from a God-centered SELF
thank you for the people that help me better understand and practice Your good
NEIGHBORHOOD
- OFFER WHAT'S BEST -
in the world at large, responding in love according to the creative best response as a God-centered SELF
and lead me in the way that helps me see Your good work in my world and join You in it as my authentic self
Father, [in my SELFHOOD]
help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You, in every way
Jesus, [in my PERSONHOOD]
help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet
Spirit, [in my NEIGHBORHOOD]
help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say
adapted/inspired by the daily devotional
may I never stop seeking to better understand the role of SELF in the command:
"...love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul and mind -
and love your neighbor
as yourSELF..."
believing that when I seek to focus on the good in someone's SELF - everything else seems to fall into place
because I can &
because it matters