Almost all games feature some form of linear progression as we play them, no matter how “open world” they claim to be. Even games that allow us to “take on missions in any order we want” still have objectives they require us to complete before we can move on to the next phase of that mission. From finding the right key to open a door to unlocking a specific skill to move forward, there will always be prerequisites we must complete before we can take on larger challenges… not to restrict us, but to prevent us from getting in over our heads, ensuring we are at the correct skill level before moving forward.

The missions that the Lord calls us to are built off of two prerequisites… our love for the Lord and for our neighbor. And if we are being honest, loving our neighbor doesn’t always come easy. It isn’t just difficult to do this without the Lord’s help… it is impossible. Loving the Lord with our entire mind, soul, and strength is the prerequisite that enables us to love our neighbor with Christ’s love. If we are struggling to fulfill the second great commandment, perhaps we actually need to go back to the FIRST one and complete it before trying to move forward. When we love Him fully, we will see His children differently… and then we can love them the way He does.

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

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