A Call to a Higher Love—Reflections

1 Corinthians 13 for the Modern Man

It is plain that the old world of fear and violence does not work. Only Unconditional or a Higher Love (Agape) provides a spiritual foundation for our society.

Though I think I posses all manner of spiritual attainments, attend my church or spiritual group regularly, praise God often, or sing in the church choir, if I have not Love, I have become an annoying car alarm.

And though I have all manner of educational degrees; though I have a responsible position in my company; have a family; a house on a hill, several cars, a boat, and a condo in the mountains; if I am not motivated by Love, then I have nothing.

And though I think of myself as a person who is doing good things for others–whether it is the PTA at my child's school; volunteering at my church or social organization; helping the poor; or doing work as an activist trying to bring peace or save the environment; if I am not motivated by Love, then I gain nothing.

Love is patient as we drive in traffic, even as others may cut us off and offend us, we take none by it and instead offer them the space so that they can get on their way in safety.

Love is kind at the corner convenience store even when the clerk "has an attitude" we respond by a deep understanding into their heart that they were having a bad day and so we smile at them and send them all of our positive regard and truly wish them well.

Love does not envy the new car my neighbor just got or even think about "keeping up with the Joneses" but is so grateful for all that God has provided us.

Love does not brag that you helped an elderly woman to cross the street or that you volunteered at a local homeless shelter.

Love is never proud, thinking your better than someone because you are a Democrat or a Republican or you attend one church rather than another, or think your religion is more about membership than demonstration of God's love.

Love is not rude even unto the tenth telemarketer who calls you as you sit down to supper with your family but is able to calmly ask to be taken off the call list.

Love does not insist on self-seeking, always getting to go to your favorite restaurant, the movie that you want to see, your favorite TV program or meal, Love considers others.

Love is not easily angered when your child is running late for school, when your wife is getting herself ready to go out on the town, or when your boss doesn't agree with one of your ideas.

Love does not hold a grudge, in bitterness, thinking how you are going to get back at your spouse at a word spoken with unkindness, instead forgiveness is offered.

Love does not delight in seeing others torn down by listening to people gossip about how a co-worker is having an affair or how someone had a misfortune but instead rejoices in building others up and seeing them have great blessing in their life.

Love always protects by remaining silent, when your husband gets lost driving, for the tenth time and you don't tell him "I told you so" for not stopping to ask for directions.

Love always trusts when your bank account is nearly empty and you just lost your job knowing that all will be taken care of by God.

Love always perseveres when a loved one lies to you, by seeing beyond the lie into their hearts.

Love never fails because God is Love. In the midst of the sometimes painful twists and turns of life, it may seem that Love leaves us. It doesn't, the light of Love is just too dim to see.

Love never leaves us because it is Eternal and everlasting.

Love is not a feeling but a conscious choice, an act of will, and concrete actions done every day–walking our talk. Even in the midst of our hurting world, allowing Love to work through us is a sign of our greatest strength and courage.

It's time to go back to basics, be absolutely honest with ourselves, and ask God to illuminate all of the areas that we are weak so that we can be strong in Love. Each of us then can become a brilliant lighthouse capable of transforming this foggy world.

It's sad that these words are taken as platitudes, often spoken most at weddings. They could be revolutionary, if we would take them deep into our hearts, weakening the stronghold in our minds that our conflicted world has over us. Let's learn how to join forces by speaking the shared language of Love, heart to heart, collectively demonstrating its power to rebuild society from the ground up, like an ointment, healing all divisions–starting with ourselves, family, and local community.