It may be more prevalent to do things for God than to love God. It is possible to teach, preach and witness about God without a passion to be near Him. It is easier to pursue the Great Commission than it is to practice the Great Commandment. Loving God is our first and foremost assignment. Not just loving Him, but loving Him with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Of course, as Jesus taught us, if we love Him we will obey Him and keep His commandments. But never doubt it, if we have no strong desire to be near Him, it will not work.
Lord, do I love working for You more than being with You? Has my religious businesses become a distraction from You? Have my churchly duties taken the place of You being at the true center of my life? Forgive me! Help me! Have mercy on me! Heal my soul! Amen!
From “Growing Toward Maturity”, by H. Lamar Smith
