Thought for Monday, July 23rd

July 23, 2012

The Power of Love

The subject of love has been written about, sung about and talked about for thousands of years: yet the truth is, there are few who really understand the scope of its measure or the true intensity of its potential to impact.

This is evidenced by the state of our world and the condition of our society.

Would it not stand to reason that if we truly understood love at its deepest roots and we could grasp and comprehend the reality of how it could effect us and those around us : and if we would only employ its virtues and intents: that we would be more willing to love more and hate less?

And furthermore, if we could grasp the spiritual significance of the need to love to the extent that we should, would we not find it incumbent upon us to embrace the potential and exercise the possibilities of loving each other as we are loved by God.

Sadly, I fear, that by-in-large there is a vast misunderstanding and miscomprehension of what love really is, how it functions and what it is suppose to do.

Many view love as a self gratifying indulgence that should be received in greater measure than it is meted out. This seems to be even more preponderant when it comes to God’s love for us.  We are often very disproportionate in what we are willing to receive as opposed to what we are willing to give.

“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”

-       Victor Hugo

If I had the gift of being able to speak in other languages without learning them, and could speak in every language there is in all of heaven and earth, but didn't love others, I would only be making noise.  If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about what is going to happen in the future, knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would it do? Even if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, I would still be worth nothing at all without love.  If I gave everything I have to poor people, and if I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel but didn't love others, it would be of no value whatever. Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,  never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.   If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. Someday prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge--these gifts will disappear.  Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor.  But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear. It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.  In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.  There are three things that remain--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If we could but comprehend the truth of what God’s plan for being loved and loving is and we could understand more fully His plan for how it should look and what it should be like: I believe our world would be a much different place.

Today’s Prayer

Father, your love is bigger, broader and bolder than I can fully comprehend: yet still I am aware of its existence and its reality.  Help me to love as I am loved and even though I may not fully comprehend it, help me to embrace love and loving both you and others with a greater boldness and a new intensity.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman