Clarity vs Understanding

        Lately, I hear a lot about the topic of understanding. Understanding other’s stories, plight, and struggles, etc. That sounds really good and I think understanding is important, but there is something more important and that is clarity. I can be very clear on what I am to do without understanding. Let me explain…

        ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37) There is a lot of clarity in these simple verses. We are to love God above all else, ALL ELSE. One way we show our love for our heavenly Father is by actively loving others as He would. Now, I don't always understand how, but, it is clear I must do so. Here is what this says to me: don’t love social justice, don’t love left or right, don’t love Democrats or Republicans, love GOD, and all He has created in humanity. How I do that is by loving Him above all other things, organizations, etc. When nothing is higher or more honored in my life than God, then nothing defines my love for others more completely than Him. My love of Him makes it clear HOW I am to love others as an outflow of my love for Him. Understanding will follow as I chose to love Him and others.

        Now I know what some are saying quietly inside, I have said it myself… “Really? Do I have to love him, her, them? Are you kidding? I don’t understand,” but our Father offers us the clarity that we are to love others, and over time, through a relationship with Him He will define how. Over this week, we will dive deeper into this topic but first, take some time and honestly answer the following question: Who or what defines how you love others?