This morning, I turned on some quiet instrumental worship music. I listened and waited.

Then I was impressed to say, “Lord, I love you about all things.” I began reciting a list of people and situations.

I love you above my family and friends.

I love you above the Church.

I love you above my successes and failures.

I love you above my earnest convictions.

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). The three words, “with all your…”, require that we finish that sentence with a specific definition.

This is a love being expressed through Jesus to the Church. “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church” (Ephesians 1:22).

In reinforcing my commitment to God’s love above all else, I was saying that He is my Source of love. There is no true, lasting love apart from Him. I can love Him only by receiving His love. I can love others only with what I have received. I can’t give out what I have not received.

Without that understanding and perspective, I will live a compromised life. I will do things that look and sound religious but only create a stacking order where my desires remain on top—a place that should be given only to the Creator of love.

I’m learning to thank the Lord when He convicts me of my lack of love for others. It’s an invitation to receive His love for me in my weakness and then ask Him to love through me to others. My ideas of love are not enough. Only His love is enough.

My love for God must be placed above all things, even those closest to me. To love God means loving Him with His kind of love.