—Matthew 22:39

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers asks us the question:

“Are we experiencing the ‘much more’ He promised?  If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries.  How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him?”

And our service to him is “to love each other in the same way that I love you.” 

Are you absolutely free to concentrate on your service to him, able to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and mind, able to love yourself as God’s creation (not the world’s), and able to love others in the same way that he has loved us?

These questions shouldn’t make us feel defeated as in looking at a final losing score, rather they should inspire us to work harder, love better and serve more sacrificially.

I recently read where an anonymous donor bequest the Architecture Department at my alma mater $60 million.  “Financial hardships forced him to give up his dream of becoming an architect” (many years ago) and “supporting students who dream of becoming architects is a way of achieving that goal” (Connections, Cal Poly, Fall 2007).

This man showed how a person’s dream doesn’t necessarily have to die, but can be passed on and encouraged in other people who share the same dream. 

Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?  He gave his life so that we can have life, so that we can pursue our dream which is His command for us:  to love others in the same way that He loved us.

 Cliff Young is a contributing writer to Sandlot Stories (ARose Books), as well as the monthly column, "He Said-She Said," in Crosswalk.com's Singles Channel.  An architect and former youth worker, he now works with Christian musicians and consults for a number of Christian ministries. Got feedback?  Send your comments and questions to CYdmg@yahoo.com.