Devotion written by Andrea Burnett, Ministry Support Specialist
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. – 1 John 4:7-8
“Unless we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, we will love ourselves and neighbors inadequately. Right love of God is what enables right love of self and others.” – Jen Wilkin, In His Image
In this ministry, whether a parent aide, counselor, ministry support, licensing worker, etc., we are in constant contact with our “neighbors”. Almost every day we experience, secondhand, the problems and worries that our clients are living and, many times, that stress gets reflected in our own lives. After a while, we can become overwhelmed with this stress and begin to show insufficient love to people who need it most. When we give all of our worries to God and focus on loving Him with everything we have, our love for others and ourselves becomes instinctual and effortless.