Its been over 20 years, but I still remember my profesor at Bible Institute asking the class, "Which is the most essential attribute of God -- love, truth, or holiness?"
Being quick witted and a bit cocky, I said, "Truth, because even the existence of God's love is itself a truth."
I thought my logic was solid, but the question has revisited me over the years. If I was so right, why then are the greatest and second greatest commandments -- indeed all the law and prophets -- summarized by the command to love (Matthew 22:37). Why does love remain after faith and hope have reached their limits (I Corinthians 13:13)? Does love really win?
In my work as a Non-Profit Administrator, love doesn't seem to win state contracts. Efficiency, data management, and tight procedures do that.
Love doesn't really help the bottom line of any budget.
Love doesn't really add up to "success."
Love doesn't win the arguments.
Love doesn't set the record straight or garner you the respect you deserve.
In fact love is mostly thankless.
Why does God say love is the most important?
Maybe because it slices deeper.
Love requires that I stay soft on the inside when every part of me wants to grit my teeth and survive.
Love requires vulnerability. Many virtues -- self-discipline, holiness, purity -- can be demonstrated without vulnerability but not love. To love you have to let your guard down. Its unsafe. It requires vulnerability.
Love makes me feel powerless. Sometimes I must admit my inability to do anything, to have any real power, to make things better, to fix things, to really even be what I want to be.
Love requires the possibility of pain -- no, in this life, it guarantees pain. To love is to hurt.
Essentially, love forces us to cut down the plastic idol of control, the illusion of our self-efficacy and safety.
To love we must assassinate our inner monarch, and embarrassingly allow the inner child to stumble out instead. It requires total transformation.
To love we must assassinate our inner monarch, and embarrassingly allow the inner child to stumble out instead. It requires total transformation.
Love does win, if you are willing to die that is.
