I must love Him more than my husband

Scripture: Luke 14:26

“If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

–New Living Translation

** I feel it critical to mention the translation here, as all other translations I have read say something more along the lines that a disciple must hate his father and mother…instead of love Jesus more.

Observation: To truly follow and be a disciple of Christ, I must love Him more than any other person… even those I hold especially dear. Even more than myself.

Application: Wow. This is a toughie. As you can see I even chose a softer translation because this is so hard for me to fully apply.

I must love him more than any one else? I like to think I do, but when it comes right down to it, I bet I’ve put my husband before Jesus many times. And myself? Well, that, too, although I hate to admit it. And I’ve read this verse many, many times.

He knows how selfish we all are, as it says elsewhere to love others as ourselves. But just because he knows my faults doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do anything about them.

I need to put Jesus at the top of my list… always. Ahead of everyone and everything else. And keep him there no matter what.

Prayer: Lord, I am so sorry. This, I will admit, is tough. I like to think I love you more… and you’ve done more for me than anyone could possible do, and yet I continue to move your priority up and down on my scale. Please guide me in placing you, and keeping you, way up top. I want to love you more than anyone else. I want to think of you first and everyone else (including my husband and myself) after that. Please guide me. I can’t do this without you, as you know. And thank you Lord, for loving me anyway. Wow. You are amazing and selfless. Thank you.