Article October 24, 2011 Issue

Employed by the two ‘great commandments’

Loving God and loving your neighbor: a full-time, rewarding job.

By Clifford McElrea

Years ago I remember reading a Sentinel with articles focusing on expressing God’s qualities in the arts. It impressed me greatly because I had finished a college degree as a graphic designer, but as of that time had not obtained a job in this field. I was very involved in church work in various ways and had a part-time job in a wholesale warehouse, which I’d had since college to help with expenses. 

After reading the Sentinel I remember being so moved by it that I turned to God. From the bottom of my heart I strongly desired to do whatever God wanted me to do, expressing whatever qualities He wanted me to use, wherever He wanted me to use them, to bless whomever He wanted me to bless. I didn’t think about it at the time, but more recently I realized that this prayer had had the elements in it of the “two great commandments” Jesus mentioned in the Bible. To love God with all of your heart and soul and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (see Matt. 22:37, 39). 

This type of prayer, which includes the desire to do God’s will, has always had positive results for me. Over the years, I have learned to also deny that any evil or error can interfere generally or specifically with God’s goodness for us, and to rejoice and be grateful for proofs of this goodness.