I don’t sit still very well. I never have. Even as a baby my mom says I woke up early and fell asleep late and rarely took my nap. I was always on the go and living life full throttle. I fell out of trees, scraped my knees, would plan all kinds of games, and never wanted to miss a moment. But I had friends that were super content to just watch the action, pass on the opportunity to swing on a rope swing, or not even come out to play. It baffled me. I’ve heard the saying, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely and in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, proclaiming, WOW, what a ride!” Yep, that’s how I plan on showing up. I want every last second.
In 1 Corinthians 13, we are reminded that in all the things we are doing and in the days we are living if we aren’t living full out in love and intention we have missed the mark. We may be doing lots of great things, but if they aren’t founded and rooted in love then they are all for not. A waste. God is love. It’s His entire message. It’s His entire being. He can’t do anything outside of it. Every action was motivated by love. In fact, He places such a high value, He says acts of love are what earn us rewards in heaven. Do you mean we can do more than just get to heaven? Can we add to the experience? Does God want to give us rewards there? Well, sign me up! Who wants to just show up and exist in eternity? I want to show up fully alive and ready, knowing I gave this life my absolute all.
This passage is a good reminder for us to stop and take an evaluation from time to time. In doing so we may find that certain things we think we are doing in love may actually be done with a heart of responsibility or guilt, or maybe even obligation.
As an adult, I’ve had to really be intentional about quieting my heart and soul before God. I can get running and going so fast that if I don’t practice the art of listening to God I can get sidetracked and love slowly drains from all the things I’m doing. But God reminds us that nothing matters if it isn’t rooted in love. I’m wasting so much time by doing things that aren’t amounting to anything because I’ve missed the whole point- love.
1 Corinthians 2-3 says, “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
What we know and what we do are nothing without love. Can I encourage us to do some evaluation? Are we rooted in love? Are our actions being done with a heart of love and service? I know this has served as a reminder for me that it’s time to pause and evaluate.
When my time comes, I want to be sliding into heaven poured out and worn out with a neon sign blinking wildly the word “love”. May that be true for all of us.
Blessings as you love and serve with great purpose,
Bonnie Nichols
Women’s Ministry Specialist