There's a Wideness in God's Mercy

Someone once asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered by quoting what we now know as Deuteronomy 6:5 when he said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

I've been thinking about the last part of the second greatest commandment ever given to mankind. What does it mean to love your neighbor 'as yourself'? Certainly we should care for others as we care for ourselves. This could easily be interpreted to mean sharing with those in need. You know, giving food, money, clothes, time to those who need our help. I believe this would be an accurate interpretation of what Jesus was saying. Our looking after those in need should be as natural as fulfilling our own needs. When I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm stinky, I bathe. When I'm tired, I sleep. And so on.

Jesus often had a deeper level of understanding available to those who were willing to search for it. I believe the second commandment, although simple and easy to understand, offers a lesson besides that of meeting the needs of others.

I've been thinking about self-image lately. Do I really love myself? Or maybe before I consider that question, I should ask, 'What should I think about myself?'

I have a dear Christian friend who struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. He said to me yesterday, "Pray for me today. I'm not in a good state-of-mind. I'd better not go near any bridges today." Even as I recall his words, my heart breaks for him. I don't want him to be sad.

My friend had a rough childhood. He's a grown man now. He found out a few years ago that his father had passed away. You know how he found out? His sister happened to read the hometown obituary that day and saw their dad's name there.

For years my friend has felt rejected by his dad. And now as a grown man he still feels worthless much of the time.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." The obvious implication is that one would love himself. But what you and I both understand from personal experience, is that's not always a given. People feel worthless, unlovely, guilty, shameful, afraid, devalued. They're full of regret, self-doubt, self-pity, and fear. Why?

Why do so many of my Christian friends have such a horrible self-image? Here's something to consider. When we see someone who is confident do we call him arrogant? When we see someone who is ambitious do we call him worldly? The envious and pious attitude some Christians have toward those who pursue success may have something to do with this problem of self-image.

But what does humility look like? Is it really thinking less of yourself and ultimately staying confined to your present comfort zone? I don't think so. Jesus was and is the ultimate example of humility. When I have a look at some of Jesus' comments, it's easy to see how so many hearing him considered him to be arrogant and boastful. And yet we're told that He is humble.

The idea of humility has been grossly misunderstood. Before you're able to love anyone, you have to love yourself. I would speak directly to you now, dear reader. You need to understand that you have value in the sight of God. Whether you believe it or not, God made you on purpose. He was intentional, even thoughtful about it. No matter how you came to be down here with the rest of us, you are not a mistake. The Bible says He carefully knit you together in your mother's womb, that you're fearfully and wonderfully made. God knows your words before they're even thoughts. He knows your dreams and passions. He put them in you and called them 'good'.

You're not to be ashamed of who you are. You're not to be ashamed of your dreams. God made you who you are. He gave you your dreams and talents. He's given you a desire to perform, to achieve. If other people, or you yourself have killed that desire, He can raise it up again. When you dream, you contrast the picture of what you are against what you would like to become. And the dream is not out of reach, dear friend.

You do have value. Many of us made fun of Mister Rogers at one time or another, but he was right about you when he said, "You've made this day a special day by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are."

That's the message of Christ. Have you any idea the freedom you would experience if you would just believe God when he says, "I love you."? Have you any idea the joy? Imagine how you might live your life if you understood that Someone loves you just the way you are. You could be yourself without concern of others' judgment of you. God's approval is all that matters, and according to Him, you've got it.

May peace rain down upon you today. This message is for you. You are loved. You are wanted. There's nobody else like you and you truly can do anything you put your mind to.

Peace to you. Peace of Christ to you.