Romans 12:9 – a verse about loving others – was quoted to me at a lunch meeting yesterday during a discussion on how we are all broken.

This – after a day earlier – a friend had sent me a blog article about making the decision to change.

And; as I reflect on the conversation yesterday and my decision to change – my healing has come from surrounding myself with like minded people and running from evil.

In doing so, admitting I can’t do it on my own, breaking from isolation and shame, steadily transforming a past unhealthily love of myself into an ever growing love for Jesus and others.

As I reread this blog entry – I am reminded how I constantly need to give God credit for the change in me as without our Heavily father orchestrating a vast number of details – my healing progress wouldn’t be possible – just a bunch of starts and stops.

And even though I still have ups and downs – every day – I’m a little better.  A work in progress – only finished the day I am in heaven.

Romans 12:9-10 (MSG)

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Matthew 22:37-40(MSG)

37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Other good reading – found this blog article “You Can’t Do It Alone!”  It’s loaded with encouraging bible verses on our need to be in community.