![[Graphic of Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/love_the_Lord.jpg)
| “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” |
| —1 John 2:15a |
Have you ever loved someone or something so much that it hurt? I’m talking about an aching feeling in your stomach that sort of wells up whenever you think about the object or person that you love.
As a seven-year-old little boy, I met a seven-year-old little girl while vacationing on the shore of Lake Erie. She was the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. I instantly liked her and did everything I could to stay near her. I don’t think I actually spoke to her. I was far too shy to do that.
When I arrived home, I moped around the house for days. I kept thinking about this marvelous little girl. I missed her and realized I would likely never see her again. I told my mom that my stomach ached. My mom chuckled and told me that I must be in love.
Of course, the feeling eventually passed. But, I never forgot that little girl, even though I never did see her again.
Love is like that—it burns impressions deeply into our souls. It’s important whom or what we choose to love.
The Apostle John recognized how important our love choices are when he wrote these words recorded in 1 John 2:15-17:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
For those of us whom God has called to Himself, we have an even greater responsibility to guard whom and what we love. Let us choose this day to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our “neighbor” as we love ourselves. If we do this, we will fulfill the Law of Christ our Savior.
Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
