If I could speak all
the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I
understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had
such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be
nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I
could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1
Corinthians 13:1-3
There is a saying that vulnerability is the last thing I
want you to see and the first thing I look for in you. Here is an
example. When watching a news or press conference or news report, they
always move to the center figure of the story. At some point during the
discussion, the person starts to break down in tears. At that moment, the
cameras focus intensely on them, and you can hear the rapid clicks of the
cameras reacting to that moment. We often see that when a person is
retiring from something they have done or a relationship they have had for a
number of years. They talk about how much they loved what they did.
These are the things that bring us closer to the person. It speaks of truth,
sincerity, and passion. Many of us love God openly and unabashedly.
Yet at times in this world, some feel to say it or maybe even display it is
showing weakness. However if we cannot be open and vulnerable enough to
show this very act, how can we truly love God and others?
Vulnerability to God means to open up your heart to Him as
well as others. The words of Paul in 1
Corinthians 13 speak to the very core of why love must be at the center of all
we do. He was speaking of having
spiritual gifts and abilities and how they are rendered meaningless without
love. God’s love for us brings us peace,
joy, and comfort. Furthermore, it can
also bring us trials, failures, and challenges to grow spiritually. Our perception of love tends to be the
former, and thus, to show it makes us seem weak and vulnerable. However if we know the latter is also love,
we realize that it is also strength and conviction. Despite our flaws, God shows us love in both
ways. While loving a flawless God is
easy, loving flawed people is very difficult, and leaves us vulnerable to being
disappointed and hurt. However if God is
to love us in spite of all of our faults and our mission is to follow His
example, we realize we must do the same.
As God loves us, we must love others. Jesus said, “Store
your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do
not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:20-21) Furthermore as to the greatest Commandment, “Jesus
replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your
heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first
and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love
your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) If we treasure our love for God and others the
most, we will have the greatest rewards in Heaven, and that is what matters
above all. How can you be more
vulnerable in showing your heart for God?
What steps can you take toward loving others as God loves you? My prayer is that we show greater resolve for
opening up our heart to God and others.
Amen.
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