Love the Lord your God

Mark 12:28-31

The teacher asked him
A question we all ask him.
Of all the commandments,
Of all of the rules,
Which one is the most important?

And he answered,
And he answers us today.

Love the Lord your God.
Love Him with all that you are,
All that you have,
All that you are becoming,
All that you will be.

Love the Lord your God
With all your heart.

But, God, I confess
That my heart is not pure.
My emotions are mixed.
My loyalties often lie divided
Between you and everything else.
I don’t even know where my whole heart is.
Love you with my whole heart?

God said, I AM.
I know the state of your heart,
And I want it anyway.
Give me your love,
And know grace.

Love the Lord your God
With all your soul.

But, God, I confess
That my soul is stained with sin.
My faith is full of doubt.
More like a sieve,
Leaky and unreliable.
Than a cup,
Prepared to overflow.
Love you with my whole soul?

God said, I AM
I see into your soul,
I know it, and I want it anyway.
Give me your faith,
And know grace.

Love the Lord your God
With all your mind.

But, God, I confess,
That my mind is unfocused.
I live a life full of distractions.
My thoughts dart to you
And then away,
Like minnows in a stream.
Pushed around by the currents of life.
Love you with my whole mind?

God said, I AM.
I know your thoughts,
I see your anxiety.
I want it anyway.
Give me your trust,
And know grace.

Love the Lord your God
With all your strength.

But, God, I confess.
At the end of the day
I have no strength.
I am consumed and tired.
I stand here, weak,
Until I feel that I must fall.
Love you with my whole strength?

God said, I AM.
I know that you are drained.
I feel your weariness.
I want even that.
Give me your hand,
And know grace.

God said, I AM.
Give me your love
Your faith.
Your trust.
Your hand.
Know that I love you.
All that you are
All that you have,
All that you are becoming,
All that you will be.

Let me give you grace,
And I will send you out
To love the one beside you
The one far from you
And even yourself.

You are my child.
I am your God.

Image: Sky last night after fall sports banquet