He sees my scars. He sees my thoughts. He sees my flaws. He sees the costs I paid to follow Him unto the ends of the earth. My God sees it all. He sees me and He sees you. Every heartbeat in you. Every mystery in you. Every talent in you. Every beauty in you. God glimpses into our souls and finds His eyes wanting to be there intertwined with us. He comes close to us. Pursues us. Becomes one with us. Watches over us forever.

Jesus looks out for our best interests.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:4-5

Jesus teaches us how to prefer one another over ourselves. This starts with a pure mindset that celebrates others’ enrichment.

Look out for others’ interests. This does not mean you neglect to consider your interests as you navigate life and relationships. You need to maintain your spiritual life, your family life, your relationships, your responsibilities. But it does mean you consider others needs just as much as you consider yours. Consider how to bless others as you interact with people day in and day out. Consider how to engage others to make their day brighter than it was before. Send rays of sunshine everywhere you go.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Relationships require equality. Give respect and you receive respect. Express love and you will receive love.

Mary Magdalene expressed love to Jesus in John 12 and for the whole timeline of their love as she honored Him as Messiah, and so she constantly received love from Jesus. The Pharisees expressed continual disrespect of Jesus and would not honor Him as Messiah, and they received repeated rebuke from Jesus. We reap what we sow. Sow love and respect so that your relationships produce fruits that satisfy. Love engenders love.

It’s not hard to love when you cannot help but love your lover. God loves you effortlessly. It’s in His DNA. And it’s in yours too. Love like Jesus and you will experience the benefits of sweeter love.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Love marks you as Jesus’ Beloved.

You follow Jesus’ commands when you love Him.

Jesus commands us to love one another.

When we take responsibility for our spiritual life, we enhance the lives of others through our own healthiness. Love is healthy reaction in our spirits that shows the world we are from God and that God is worth having in their lives.

Spiritual healthiness can only come from one place: time with Jesus.

Relationship with Jesus remains the highest need for life and wellness.

your love

sends me

up river

where the forests

sway in spring

or winter

thether me

to You engender

Heaven

I’ll always remember

flowing wildly

in Your arms again

Your heart

sends me

down river

where the water

trickles

rapidly

over the edge

ascending

up and off the ledge

into the falls

of rainbow scents

Your arms

surround me

Heaven sent

You carry me up and away

You carry me so I’m here to stay

with You

forever