Love God. Love people. There is no other commandment greater than this.
Friday, we were shopping in downtown Boone. All of the stores require masks. I walked into the store and greeted the salesperson. I sensed her heart was heavy. She told of an encounter she had earlier that day with a customer who refused to wear a mask. He yelled at her and was rude before stomping out of her store. She told me how her son died years ago during the month of July and this was a hard season for her.
My friend Kim walked into the store. I asked the salesperson if we could pray for her. So in Downtown Boone in the middle of the a store, we had a prayer meeting. We loved God. We loved that woman.
Yesterday, we were in West Jefferson at a restaurant. After we were seated, we notice the servers were not wearing masks. I asked my server why. He gave me the most ridiculous reason for not wearing a mask.
We prayed over our food. Laughed with our server. Tipped well. We loved God. We loved our server.
Love is kind. Kind to those with whom we disagree. Kind to those who vote differently. Kind to those who wear a mask. Kind to those who choose not to. Kind to Republicans. Kind to Democrats. Kind to those who are not kind. Kind in our words. Kind in our social media posts.
Love casts out fear. Love does not use fear to motivate or control. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect. Love understands we know in part.
The Ten Commandments are summed up in these words: Love God and Love people.
As Christians, we accept and acknowledge Jesus is Lord and then we Love God and Love people.
In the middle of a pandemic, we Love God and Love people.
In an election year, we Love God and Love people.
We can’t say we Love God and not love those He created. It’s a package deal.
Love God. Love people.
“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. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””
Mark 12:30-31 NKJV