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Intentional Love
John Tilton1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tonguesof men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Paul affirms God’s principle of love that is so true and profound. He reminds us that one can appear very spiritual and holy by doing the things that are spiritual in nature such as speaking in tongues, prophesying and even be used by God to perform miracles. One can give to the poor in an act of love and put ourselves at risk for the welfare of others. However, if one does not have love in one’s heart that is given and shared with others, then in the eyes of God, one has nothing, and one gains nothing.
On my recent vacation to Disneyland with my family, this principle was affirmed for me in a great way. You see, I’ve been to Disneyland many times before. However, this time, I was very intentional in my mind to clear my mind of all that I could of my work and business life, and to intentionally experience the time and experience through the eyes, minds and relationship with my wife, my grandchildren, my daughter and son-in law. There was intentionality. What resulted was a spirit of joy and love that came over me. It was in that spirit that I realized that intentional love is clearing one’s mind of other things that are not part of the moment and relationship, and being present in the moment of relationship with full attention and heart. That was when the intimate and heartfelt feeling of love arose that manifested itself in me doing silly things that I would never do, hearing things that I might normally miss, looking in my wife’s eyes and truly feeling the love that God has given me for her, enjoying the spirit of my grandchildren with a love that filled my cup and feeling a sense of peace and joy that overcame me. It started with intentional love. Thus, as I read these scriptures, I realize that we can do many things in love. However, if we are not intentional of our giving and sharing our love, whatever that takes, we have nothing and are missing out in the greatest blessing from God, which is the love that originates from the love of Jesus Christ in what He did and continues to do in our lives if we are only able to be in intentional to see it and receive it.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me such insight and appreciation for love that originates from the love of Jesus Christ.
