Love Makes the World Go Round

Christ-centered love—a sure foundation for us, if we are to do this love thing right. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says: “I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.”

For me, this passage simply means that I may be able to do good things, and say a whole lot of things that God has set on my heart, but if I don’t do or say all those things in love, then I am just a noise-maker, with no positive impact.

Everything we say or do should be guided by love:

• a love that comes from Christa love that brings light into darkness
• a love that gives comfort and restores hope
• a love that does not make assumptions but instead seeks clarity
• a love that hosts empathy over judgement
• a love that champions warmth, over hostility
• a love that is not envious of others but instead celebrates them
• a love that is not antagonistic but embraces compassion and peace.

As it is written in Mathew 22:40, “love is the greatest of all commandments.” The standard and God-kind of love is further unpacked from verse 4 in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal.”

But, as human beings, the way we love is so imperfect and this can be driven by different factors. Most times we are simply driven by ego, envy, and our inability to humble ourselves so that we continuously make noise about things that shine the spotlight on ourselves. When we do this, God’s love takes a back seat because we are then prioritizing the self over what’s required of us.

Today, let’s change the trajectory of our lives by walking in love. How? You may ask. Well, let’s start where we are, within ourselves. When we understand who we are in Christ and the depth of His love for us, we will be able to love, appreciate, and find ourselves as worthy. As a result of this, we will be able to love others just as God loves us. We will be able to correct with love—feed and clothe with love—debate and disagree with love. We will genuinely care for others without always trying to figure out what could be of gain to us. We will help the helpless with love, compassion, and empathy.

Let’s stop chasing clout and be the epitome of God’s love, here on earth, in all that we do—especially our interactions on social media and in social gatherings. Love should be a priority in everything we do. Let’s walk in Godly love. Let’s glorify Him through our actions.

Today, ask God to help you walk, talk, and act in love at all times, in all your interactions. Invite Him into your heart so He can soften it. Ask Him to help you prioritize love even in the ways in which you express yourself. Pray that love becomes a part of your human fabric, so that you can love others the way God loves you and them.