Daily Reading for Thursday, Feb. 14: Mentoring

“Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.” Deuteronomy 11:1

Today is the day that love is celebrated. What better way to show God our love for Him than to do what He commands us to do? I know that when my children obey me, when they do what I ask, I am very pleased. It touches my heart that they love me and trust me so much that they know I am only doing my best to help them—even if that means having them empty the dishwasher! We have a love relationship that makes the obedience an act of faith—faith in my character, my justice, and my goodness. My children know that I would never ask or command them to do something that would bring them harm. And even when I’ve had to correct them or act harshly with them to punish their behavior, the bond of love has grown. Why? Because when all is said and done, my children know I love them, and everything I do for them is because of that love.
How much more does God love us? The love we have for our children is like a drop of water when compared to the ocean-sized love God has for us. When we mentor our children and when we mentor others, we are acting in obedience because we love God. He is our first love—both primarily and foundationally. Out of this love flows all other love. Love is the well-spring of everything: prayer, passion, servanthood, change, and mentoring. Everything we do as Christians comes because we love the Lord our God, and we know that He loves us. Therefore, we gladly walk in mentoring relationships because we want as many as can to walk in love with God.