As I helplessly watched the constant coverage of devastation of Hurricane Harvey, I was flooded with emotions. As you know I am originally from Southeast Texas. I have family in those areas. It does our heart good when we see so many come out and support those who are suffering. It will take some time to recover from the flooded homes, the broken bridges, the clean up … Not to mention the emotional healing that must take place. Despair, depression, devastation – all the various emotions many feel. Loss of a house is pale in comparison to loss of life. That is something many are clinging to. I am grateful for the work the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) does in disaster areas. Long after the media forgets about a place, they are quietly working with local companies to assist those in need.
Seeing all that is happening some say, “Why?” I am amazed when we learn about cause and effect and we refuse to admit it. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. When it comes to the greatest commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, strength in the gospel of Matthew ; Jesus added something very important, “MIND”. Let us love God with our mind. It is a command. I am grateful for the knowledge God give us each day through our reasoning.
Let us love God with our mind and not simply our emotions. I beamed with pride when I saw Georgetown, Texas featured in the new film: “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” for their clean renewable energy in their city.
I do not understand refusing to love God with our minds. I suppose it is not about “understanding” because it is not a rational response. It is an emotional one. I have been disheartened at the anti-intellectualism I see in Christian circles lately. Let us commit to loving God with our minds as well as our emotions.
Matthew 22:37-39 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”