“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.’”

Isaiah 43:2

The hardest thing we can do is truly love ourselves. To understand that we aren’t just vessels on a planet that will ultimately crash and we pass away. We were created with intent and purpose. We were designed the way we are, have the eye color/height / and voice that God had predesigned. When he was finished he looked at you and said you were complete. We go through our whole teen years looking at ourselves and comparing ourselves to others. Believing the enemies lies that if only I had looked like that guy, or I was as talented as that girl that life would be better. The enemy’s purpose is to steal us from our joy and ultimately have us go down the path of sin and forget who God is. But beloved, you are incredible. We were created in the image of God (Imago Dei). That means we were created in the likeness and fairness of the one created the galaxies. No other creature that has lived is able to compare to that majesty. In the Gospels, The second greatest commandment Jesus gave the people was,

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 Mathew 22:37-39

 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:37

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34

I included all 4 gospels due to how important this commandment is. Jesus already predisposed that we ought to love ourselves to understand the value of our lives. So in through that, we will be able to serve and love others in commitment to Christ Jesus.

I pray that in this year of 2018 we find ourselves in constant communication with God. That we understand that though we are imperfect Christ came down and died for our sins and made us holy through him. That when God sees us, He doesnt see our shame and nakedness but rather he sees his son who has taken our place on the cross.

~ Ralax Parmar