Mark 12: 30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all of your mind and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 confirms Mark 12:30.
Jesus made it pretty easy to see. He says the law is loving God and your neighbor as we love ourselves. This means more than just the family next door to where you live. He tells every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth. I believe He includes wildlife and nature, but that may just be me. Jesus was summarizing His Kingdom into two simple phrases. I know I cannot do that in my life, can you?
We were created to have and maintain an intimate relationship with God. This was the first and foremost reason that God created us. The entire foundation of our being was and is to have an intimate, eternal relationship with God the Creator. The thing is, we make it more complicated than it has to be. We fall short and get so wrapped up in ourselves and the world. To combat this, the head of the household, the husband or father, can begin by obeying God’s word. In John 14:21, Jesus says, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
This is a relatively easy task as the man of the house and head of the house lead by example. Be vulnerable and open with God and repent for any known and unknown sins within you. Surrender everything to God and place Him first. We must understand that we aren’t even in control of anything. We never have been in control of anything. Once we realize that God is safely in control, we begin developing an honest and open relationship with God. That is the sign that you are now completely open and vulnerable with God even though He knows all.
I hate that we make it so hard! I have my entire life and still do some days. I am constantly on myself about being open and vulnerable with God and my beautiful bride. I must stay in prayer, God’s Word, and fellowship to maintain. I have found that this is the easiest route for me, but this includes being open and vulnerable with my brothers and sisters in Christ. It took me a long time to realize that being weak as a man is one of the healthiest and strongest things a man can do.
Trust me, try it, and see what works best for you. It saved my life! God bles