Love God and do what you want. You might be familiar with this quote from St. Augustine. At first glance, it may appear a bit sloppy and self-indulgent, but the wisdom in its simple profundity remains unparalleled.
Especially when it comes to the choices we make.
Those seven words sum up Augustine’s perspective on how to live as a Christian. If we love God more than anything, the choices we make morally, ethically and in what we prioritize fall into place. We don’t want to sin because we love God and he doesn’t want us to. We want to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8) because that’s what the lover of our soul asks us to do. To entertain injustice, to withhold compassion or to walk in pride mars the image of the one we love. And we don’t want to do that.
Our choices become muddied when we compromise our love for God. When we replace God as our first love with relationships, aspirations or causes, we create counterfeit gods. No longer are we driven by our love for God, but by whatever we have exalted in his place.
We don’t have to second guess our motives and choices if we love God first. And when we do mess up, we know the God we love forgives and redeems. We’re not bound by legalistic duties because the God we love has shown us a better way.
So I agree with St. Augustine. Let’s choose loving God as our number one priority, then enjoy doing what we want to do!
Father, please help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And out of that love, help us make choices that bring glory to you.
Throughout this day: Take some time to count the ways God shows his love for you. You might even want to make a list. Then love him right back.
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