…But the greatest of these is Love!
The above is a quote taken from the first letter written to the church at Corinth. Paul reminds the church that it does not matter what you do if you do it with an empty and loveless heart. When our hearts are loveless, and our actions are plentiful. The Apostle Paul says those actions are like annoying background noise. I have found four practices that can help me cultivate a life of Love. I will share them with you now.
- Practicing Compassion. Compassion to me means Love in action. When we look at the world with Compassion, we look at the world with Love. When we live our lives with Compassion, we are less likely to be critical and judgemental and more likely to be helpful and supportive. When we live our lives with Compassion, the odds are in our favor to be more grace-filled and patient towards others.
- The practice of Persistence. Persistence is the driving attitude that burns within a person when all seems to be lost and yet keeps ongoing. Persistence is the resilience that comes when we get knocked down only to get back up. Persistence is the engine inside us that keeps moving us forward when we fail and are ready to give up. Persistence is the attitude that says. I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who gives me the strength.
- The practice of Faith. The Bible in Hebrews 11:1 defines Faith this way. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The principle of Faith helps us see people and circumstances in light of divine possibilities. If Persistence is the engine, then Faith is the fuel that supplies the engine with the necessary power to keep it running.
- The fourth and final practice is the practice of saying yes. Too often, we start with the response to the unknown with no. However, God invites us through the other practices to say yes to the unknown. The practice of yes allows us to be compassionate, persistent, and faithful. But, first, we must practice saying yes. It does not come easy for most. Yet, when we do, we live the life of Love God calls us to live.
The world now more than ever needs people who are love-filled, action-driven. I hope you will try these practices in your own life and see what kind of difference they will make for you in cultivating a life of Love.