A Pharisee asked Jesus:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

When things are bad, what is it that keeps you hanging on? What gives your life meaning? More people than ever are experiencing depression and anxiety. Many are asking these questions.

In the scripture above, Jesus told the Pharisee that the love we have for God and for each other are the most important ingredients we need for our lives.

Harold Koenig, author of the book New Light on Depression said, “Love—unconditional love—is the ultimate long-term antidote for depression, for at its core love is connected with faith and hope.” “Faith and hope” he says. Those are things we can always use a lot of.

And who is the One most able to give such unconditional love? Jesus is.

Throughout the Bible, God tells us to serve and to love each other. Consider Jesus and the example he set for us. All of us who follow him are called to share that kind of love with others. There is no better way to find purpose for our life.

We all want to be free yet that freedom can be hard to find. In a sermon long ago, a pastor said: “True freedom is not found in doing our own thing; true freedom is found in serving God and his purpose for our lives. When you begin to live as the kind of person God intended you to be, you experience freedom.”

As Paul said in his letter to the Galatians, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. “ (Galatians 5:13)

We can be there for individuals who are sick and lonely, especially those who are not accepted by the community they live in. People who may be different from us; people suffering from mental health conditions; people we don’t understand.

So…how should we live?

Open your heart to God’s great abundance of love and, in turn, share it with others. Let his love flow.

And through that love, God will help understanding grow.

marja