Apostle Paul warns his Corinthians friends in his first book that they gain nothing if they do not have love (1 Cor 13:3). It is love that defines how a christian should live (2 John 1:6).
For example our strong love for each other will prove to the world that we are Jesus' disciples and followers, so much so that our entire life becomes one that of love (John 13:35) and love no longer should be one of the priorities but it has to be the very core of your being. I think for Christians it is incorrect to ask what is the most important priority in their life, instead a more appropriate question would be 'is love the very part of your life?'. See, priorities can change as circumstances change but part of who we are and what we are made up of reflects our character (1 Cor 14:1a)
But love cannot be learned in isolation or solitude. it is not by penance in some lonely place that you learn to love one another, it is through relationships we learn more and more about love. let's consider this, suppose you have an irritating colleague at your workplace or an inconsiderate partner in your relationship. I believe God's puts you in such relationships merely to train you on how to love even the most difficult people. When we learn this art, we would have a more positive perspective of our relationship with them. Think about the situations Jesus had encounter right from his very birth to his death. He simply continued to show his love for his accusers and those who disliked Him.
The greatest joy is to know the reason why Jesus was sent to be born as a human was because the Heavenly Father loved us all (John 3:16). Therefore, we want to be doing whatever it takes to start loving others. The best use of our lives will be to love others and the best expression of love is through time, yes you guessed right! the time we spend with others and the best time to love is right now. Consider this for a moment, those who have young children will know how hard you work to make ends meet. Some of you spend 12 to 16 hours a day to provide the best for your families, you buy the best gifts for them but you are seldom available when they want you the most. Very quickly you realize that they are old enough to manage their own lives and they don't want your interference. If you asked your grown up children what is the most refreshing experience they had with their parent. I am sure they would not recollect the expensive gifts you bought for them or the loads of money you made working those long hours instead the quality time you spent with them will be most remembered. my earthly father gave me lots of good gifts but the thing I remember the most is the time he spent sharing his life struggles. I began to appreciate him and his struggles for our family. we need time with our families and friends to share our life stories and to build our love relationship with them.
So here is what Apostle Paul is saying, no matter what I say, I believe, I do, but without love I’m bankrupt (1 Cor 13:3b). We can clear discern from the word of God that love can only be experienced in relationships. This is very evident in His ten commandments. The first four commandments deals with the relationship with God and the rest six relates to our relationship with people. Love will not come through, things, fame, status or wealth. Often times we wonder why our lives tend to be empty despite that fact that we are very content with materials things. I believe that we have displaced what is important to God with what is urgent to us. Thus a life sometimes exists without love. A life without love amounts to nothing.
Why I am I placing so much emphasis on love? This is because love is the one that that will last forever, love leaves a legacy (1 Cor 13:13). Think about this, Mahatma Gandhi is remembered not for his education as a barrister or being born of a rich and high caste family, instead he is remembered for the impact he had in the lives of the others mainly the 'harijans' (God's people), he could do this only because he has genuine love for others. Furthermore, Mother Theresa of Calcutta once said,' it's not what you do, but how much of love you put into it matters'. How much of time we put in our relationship can certainly develop a true love for others in our relationship. If you are at a job for which you have no passion then you have no love for that very job you once desired, how much of love we put really matters.
Finally, our spiritual maturity is measured and judged by how much we loved others (Matt 25:34-46). What ever we do to the least of your friends, families, colleagues and others is what matters to God. Successes or achievements, degrees or diploma, fame or wealth is not a dying person tend to be surrounded by in his or her final moments, it is the people they normally tend to ask for. So where is love in your life, it is part of the list of your priorities or is it the very core of your being? Love matters to Jesus (Gal 5:6) so it matters to me as a christian.
When you get a chance, why not set aside a minute to say this small prayer to help love flow like rivers from your heart.
Lord, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend the time loving you and your people because that is what matters to you the most and that is what should matter me the most as well. I don't want to waste another day, so help me to today. Amen
