But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And 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 great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34-40

“Just tell me what to do,” we say.

Looking for the simple, easy answer.

He smiles and goes past action to the heart.

Listen as He tells another story through

A coin or a fish or a tree.

All things His canvas,

All times at His disposal.

Listen as He speaks to your soul,

Unmasking, uncovering, unraveling.

Quiet the noise so He can do His good work …

Undoing us so that we can be … with Him.

Reflect: How often do you think, “God, just tell me what to do”? He rarely answers this kind of question because it misses the point of our existence. On Tuesday of his final week, Jesus taught extensively to the crowds, responding to questions that were intended to trap Him. The noise of our lives keeps us living on the surface where we want to control through actions and taking charge. Jesus speaks to the depths of us where we desire the simplicity and purity of life with Him. How might you stop today and quiet all the noise of your life and your mind? As you quiet yourself, listen to His voice and notice how He calls you away from control to resting in His love.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for not answering all my prayers. Thank You for persistently calling me back to the primacy of love. So frequently, my motive is the easy fix of getting rid of pain through gaining control in some way. Thank You for loving me so much that You wait for me … patiently, persistently, perfectly. Today, may I stop throughout my day to let go of the noise and be quiet with You … listening to Your voice and finding rest … the rest of knowing that I am loved and secure. And, may that love lead me to love You as well as loving those around me. Amen.