Love With All Your Mind

Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’

Mark 12: 28-31

My husband and I took a trip to Beavers Bend State Park and we hiked the beautiful Ouachita Mountains. We took the hiking trail called Lookout Mountain and it did not disappoint. As we stood there in awe at the majestic mountain range that surrounded us, we could easily set our minds on how God is truly amazing. Making our way down the trail, we approached a sign that charted our next course of direction; however, the sign was broken and the direction we should have taken was missing.

My husband and I were scratching our heads trying to think what we should do. At that moment my mind was no longer focused on God’s awesome creation, but on fear. What if we start walking the wrong way and get lost? What if we have to hike another two hours and hunger and thirst kick in? Praying to God for help in this situation was nowhere near my mind.

Jesus tells me to love Him with all my mind. I should have turned to the Lord and prayed for peace and for guidance. I should have set my mind on God and not on my surroundings and circumstance. Scripture reminds us to “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2).

I am so thankful for a forgiving God when I fall short on His commands.

Dear Lord, Help us to trust You even when we cannot see the sign or the path You are taking us. We want to love You with all our mind.

Charity O