Acceptance

Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)

‘One of the teachers of religious law […] asked, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: […] love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbour as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.’

I can barely believe that loving myself is implicit in the second greatest command ever. We are called to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves.’ In other words, whether we are kind, loving, compassionate on ourselves will have a direct impact on how much of that we can be to those around us.

If you’re anything like me, stopping to reflect where you did well and giving yourself credit for it, does not come naturally. Beating myself up for the smallest mistake? Easy-peasy! But we are called to be ‘sober’ in our judgement of ourselves (Romans 12:3). That includes rejoicing in the good things about us as well as facing up to the bad! Learning to live that way may require a bit of unlearning of old patterns of thinking… but I believe it can be truly transformational for us and for everyone around us!

I invite you to take some time to be intentionally kind to and accepting of yourself today. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit together to help us see what that may look like.

Prayer – Lord, would you help me today to see myself the way you do? (pause)

Would you help me forgive myself for the times I’ve been harsh on myself (pause)

Would you help me love myself the way you call me to (pause)

Would you help me accept your love for me, your unconditional, kind, generous, love (pause)

Would you help me sit here with you, in the secret place, till my cup overflows with joy. And then, out of the abundance, may I be generous in my love for everyone around me.