how do i love thee?

friday night i went to the mindy gledhill concert...it was a miracle that we got in (really, though, by the kindness of a lady in line with an extra ticket...thanks, susan!) and i was so glad we went.  i love concerts, but to be honest, it's rare that i leave a concert feeling uplifted and inspired spiritually. this song especially touched me.  i feel like this is how jesus feels about me.

then yesterday at work i was talking with my missionaries about the atonement. i shared with them this video

 

i've seen this video heaven knows how many times, yet every time it impacts me--the excruciating pain and horrendous suffering.  all of it for the children of God, because He loves His father and He loves us.  and even after washing His face in the creek, the water running red with His blood, He goes and heals the ear of the very man who tries to arrest Him.  He loved him.  as i watched it yesterday i began to think of that perfect love that Christ has for all of us.  His suffering was so great that He even cried out, "if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done."  He loves God more than He loves Himself, so He went through with it.  but not only that, He loves us more than He loves Himself.  all of us.  you, me, lady gaga, hitler, obama...He loves them all.

we are so weak.  we hate, we criticize, we judge, we do everything but love.  

but not only that, too often we love ourselves more than we love God.  we indulge in that song that has that one swear word because it is pleasing to us for that time we're listening.  we skip out on sunday school cause we're tired.  we blow off or ignore that person cause they're weird.  

in what ways do you love God more than you love yourself?  how would your life be different if you were to change those things?

peace+love