Love Alone Counts By Marcel Rebiai
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
It’s only natural for us to link our success to our own opportunities and abilities, so we always strive to expand them. We often think that if our faith were stronger, or if we were more convincing at speaking, it would be easier to bear witness for Jesus. We believe that if only we could better understand the path God has for us, it would be easier for us to accept it. If only we could perform great signs and miracles, we could persuade so many people, colleagues and relatives to turn to Christ.
However, these thoughts fail to grasp the reality of God’s kingdom. The secret of God’s kingdom is that it is primarily built upon our love and devotion to Him and to our brothers and sisters. Jesus came to seek the lost; He never exhausted all His powers, because He wanted to win the hearts of people for the Father. He didn’t want to convince them with His superiority or limitless abilities – this is why most of His miracles were performed in private, not in public. For love does not calculate; it hopes, waits, endures and believes.
God builds His path to people through our hearts, not through our talents and abilities. If we pour out our limited gifts and opportunities for Jesus, then He will create lasting fruit in the most impossible, remote and unlikely situations. Our love for Jesus justifies any effort and any cost. What happens out of this love is always efficient – because it endures for all eternity.