"If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
This has been a huge thing on my heart, and such a humbling experience for me. Jesus has been showing my just how important love is. I could become one of the richest people and give all my money away to a person in need but I couldn't look into their eyes and tell them I love them, then what is the point? If I became a powerful ruler, but didn't love the people in my country, then I would have no reason to run the country. If I become a powerful motivational speaker, but don't have love, then my words are worth nothing. If I became a famous missionary and served the poor/abused but I couldn't love, then my actions would have been useless. If Christ died on the cross, but didn't love us, then what He went through wouldn't have been worth it.
It's so easy to say these things, and think, "yes, love is very important." But it's to easy to say it than to express it. If it wasn't, then why are there people suffering from neglect? Why are there children suffering from child abuse? Why is there human trafficking? When a person can look at a woman/child and think they are just a piece of meat and a money maker, instead of a human? Where is the love?
So what does this thing we call love look like? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices wit the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
So right now, you're probably thinking "sure Jess. That's awesome. I've read that verse. But what's the point?
Here's the point. You are nothing without love. I am nothing without love. Without love, Jesus wouldn't have saved me. Without love, my parents would have given up when I threw a tantrum and I would have been neglected. Without love, I wouldn't be here.
So here's my challenge for you, apply this verse to your life. But don't just read it. Substitute your name for love. Such as: "Jess is patient, Jess is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud." This is love.
So I'll sign off with this:
So not matter what I say, no matter what I believe, no matter what I do, I am absolutely nothing without love.
