GlocalNet

I’ve discovered that those metrics that are most quantifiable and reproducible did not come from themselves nor do they in and of themselves bring the change - it’s always from something much deeper and sometimes harder to see from the surface, but when you are around it - you feel it, see it, it’s thick in the air.  Mother Teresa, St. Francis, Gandhi all of them had this elusive quality.  I see it today in some people as well.  Generally though, these people are greater after their death than they were in life.  They didn’t have time to promote themselves in this life. 

If the world were changed - what would it look like?  No hunger.  No poverty.  No war.  No hate.  Happy families.  Cooperation at every level.  These are the challenges good men and women are always taking on.  But, I believe there is something much deeper than removing the problems - I believe it is found in the soul of those that work at bringing healthy change - it is, in a word LOVE.

For those who would follow Jesus and classify themselves - all the normal things we would say would be great and exceptional - preaching, the miraculous, the brilliant - even people of great faith - the one metric Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 is love.  When love is at the core of who we are and what we do - we never give up.  Yes, we may get tired and weary, frustrated and even angry at times, but what you love you pursue with passion to the very end.  You can fake just about everything else, but not love.

Jesus makes some very powerful statements that we can’t ignore,
Matt. 22:36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Love trumps everything.  Who is the most effective, victorious, empowered, example of Jesus?  The one who loves the most.  What is the most significant thing about love?  It never stays contained it always spreads outward. 

Father, help me love deeper than I have.  Help me value love over works.  Let love drive the work.  May my love follow the example of God’s great love seen in Jesus.