souldare

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. (Mark 12:30 NLT)

I ended the day with GOD and Brother Lawrence. I couldn’t get to sleep, so I slipped out of bed and back to my comfy chair. I ended up reading straight through the booklet, The Practice of the Presence of God. It was like staying up all night getting reacquainted with an old friend.

Brother Lawrence was passionate about one thing:

Continual conversation with GOD born out of a deep love for GOD.

As I contemplated his life mission to love GOD, and be in constant connection with God no matter what he was doing, my mind wandered back to Jesus’ greatest command to love God with all our being.

I think Brother Lawrence would have liked the New Living Translation of Mark 12:30. You MUST love the Lord your God! Not in a demanding sort of tone, but in a your life depends on it type of plea.

Another major theme of his conversations and letters encourages us right where we live. He addresses over and over how he has to corral his thoughts.

As I gathered my art supplies and Scriptures to contemplate GOD, to practice His Presence, I found myself wandering in thought, in action and in intention.

It took me a while, but I settled in my corner, and began with writing the greatest commandment repeatedly on my blank journal page with a water soluble pencil. (To read more about the process of building today’s collage, click here.)

Today’s collage took me a little longer, because I kept getting distracted, and while layers were drying, I decided to follow Brother Lawrence’s example. I practiced being with GOD while I did the dishes, while I started a load of laundry, and while working on this collage.

Here are some thoughts from Brother Lawrence:

” . . .he received a high view of the Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for GOD . . .”

What is your view of GOD?

How do you love GOD with all of your heart, soul, mind and being?