Last week I shared about "bookkending" as a strategy for better time management. Today, I’m suggesting “loving yourself” as another good strategy. This may make you feel uncomfortable. The thought of loving ourselves stirs feeling of pride or self-conciousness that we somehow feel are dishonoring to God. By all means, we know that pride is something God hates. But, we must be careful not to defeat pride by an equally unhealthy self-loathing.

Let’s take a look at what Jesus says are the two most important commandments. In

Matthew 22:37-39, we read, "Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Notice that Jesus first tells us to love the Lord our God wholeheartedly. Then, equally important, is to love our neighbor AS we love ourselves. He doesn't use the word INSTEAD...as in "instead of loving ourselves."

Think of this…if some of us loved our neighbor in the same way we view and love ourselves, our neighbor would be in big trouble!

Jesus commands us to love God, love others, and love ourselves. Of course we know this means a reasonable and appreciative view of how God made us, the gifts He’s given us, and the way He can use us to bring Him glory. I'm not suggesting we have a life-motive of personal gain. What I am pointing to is to develop a love and appreciation for what He has created.

If you gave a gift to a child in your life, and they ignored it, didn't play with it, or didn't enjoy it, or said, “Oh, this isn't very nice. It’s nothing special.” How would you feel? Now, put yourself in God's place…how does it glorify Him to downplay yourself and disparage the very qualities, traits, and yes, even quirks, he made you with?

So, what does this have to do with time management? A lot. You see, what you value, you spend time on. If you value a relationship with God, you’ll make time for it. If you love yourself in a healthy way, you will spend time having fun, exercising, taking care of yourself, and doing things that contribute to keeping your mind, body and soul refreshed and healthy. This very nicely ties back into the first commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. God is very wise…He knows that it all ties together. As we love Him, we’ll more easily love others, and love ourselves, which strengthens us to love Him and others with gusto! So, YES, spend some time doing what you enjoy…what refreshes you…what revitalizes you…because in the long run, it’s one of the best ways you can truly love God and others with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Print This