Love God - Love Others

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." --Martin Luther King Jr I love this thought by Dr. King because it causes me to consider what are the foundational principles that guide my action and reaction to challenging and controversial situations. From marriage, to parenting, to challenges at the church I serve, to community issues in Ventura County, to national situations to world politics, what are the underlying principles by which I decide how to act or react? For me? Four words describe those principles: Love God, Love Others. In any situation, how will my action/reaction demonstrate a love for God and a love for others. At least, that is my ideal starting point. I fail miserably at times and at other times I see the immense benefit of those four words in my life. By the way, by love I don't mean the cheezy, everything is beautiful and there are no bad things in the world kind of love, I mean the love that confronts evil, forgives enemies, pursues kindness/patience and other actions demonstrated by Jesus as He lived on this earth. Again, I often fail miserably but have seen the benefits of a long term pursuit of this kind of love.

For today, I'm reminded to make choices on those four words, love God, love others. Whether it's a day of comfort and convience or challenge and controversy.