Today I woke up much earlier than I needed to for church. I sat in my bed for about 30 minutes, drank my coffee, ate some Whales (Yes, I firmly believe these are better than Goldfish), and I pulled up a devotion on my phone. I have been using plans on the Bible App, and today it was about Matthew 22 and what we are called to do as Christians. The first and greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The devotion itself mentioned some great points that I felt like I needed to elaborate on, especially because I know people firsthand who struggle with what I’m going to talk about.
The devotion brought up a point we don’t talk about enough as Christians. I have personally witnessed the insecurities and negativity associated with the image of ourselves. I think so highly of my teammates and friends, but I am blown away by the amount of times I hear, “Wow, I’m so ugly.” or “I don’t like looking at myself in the mirror.” I’m hear to tell you that YOU are beautiful on the outside, mainly because of the way I see you treat people from the inside. This particular devotion mentioned that we are called to love our neighbors…as ourselves. Let that sink in: The way we love our neighbors, the way Christ wants us to love our neighbors, should also be how we love ourselves. I have seen too many times people encouraging others and lifting them up, all the while thinking very low of themselves.
Believe me, the comparison game helps no one. I know we hear it way too often, but God truly made us exactly how He wanted us. He knit us together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13), made us in His image (Genesis 1:27), and says we are all from the work of His hand (Isaiah 64:8). So build up those around you, but don’t forget to build up yourself. The same Truth you can easily speak into others is the same Truth you need to speak into yourself.
And for some of us, we need a reminder that it’s important we don’t forget that how we treat and think of ourselves is normally the way we treat others. When we can rest in God and know our worth comes from Him, it is much easier to see the worth in others as well. But when we harvest bitterness in our hearts, we see others as WE see them and not as God sees them. And that bitterness may not come from a dislike of them but rather a dislike of a part of ourselves.
My favorite part of the devotion was this statement: “The more you love one (between loving God, others, and yourself), the more you love the others. People who never learn to love their true selves are often also limited in their love for God and others.” So lean into God, love yourself, and care for others. Invest in yourself by investing into God and the Truth He speaks about you and your worth. The best example of His love for us is in Romans 5:8…I encourage all to read and meditate on it. We don’t deserve His love, but He has made us worthy.
Thank you Lord for peaceful mornings, hot coffee, and meaningful devotions. I pray that as we go about today and these next few days, we remember that our love for You, ourselves, and others all go hand-in-hand. May we seek You first and find our strength in Your goodness. Thank you for this “beautiful adventure” we must go on in order to realize our worth and beauty is in and from You.
Beautiful Adventures 