Since the news of Whitney Houston’s death, I have found myself reflecting on the songs of hers that have been most meaningful to me. I would have to say that my favorite one is ‘I Believe in You and Me.’ Though I haven’t watched the Preacher’s Wife in years, I can still see her on stage on that night club singing this beautiful love song.

The Greatest Love of All comes in as my second favorite. I can still remember being five years old and hearing this song for the first time, loving it instantly. Perhaps because the opening words to the song are: I believe the children are the future. I am sure that spoke to me somehow. But even more the message of love, and loving yourself, was absolutely powerful stuff. It is said that our own worst enemies are ourselves, and so when we get beyond self hatred and self loathing, we are able to do powerful things, including loving others.

However, as impactful as that message is, its not completely true. Actually, its not true at all. You see, I am so aware of my inadequacies and where I fall short. No matter how hard I try, I will feel a certain amount of guilt and shame over my sins, my failures, and that of others. Loving myself in these times is not always sustaining, and even realistic. But the love of God, now that’s a different story.

John 15 says this: No greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friend. That one who laid down his life was Jesus Christ, and he did this so that my sin, my mess, my failure would not be exposed. He did it so that I wouldn’t be held responsible for all my shortcomings, and instead he took all of my guilt and shame upon himself.

You see, His love for me and His love for you is the greatest love of all. His love is the only thing that endures, and makes it even possible to love myself. If you have not experienced or trusted in His love and the sacrifice He made for you so that you might live, make it a priority to do so today.