8 Days a Week

"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2

I have been meditating on that verse a ton lately. In everything I do, I desire and pray that people would know Christ's love through me.
It goes like this. As I am more and more aware of Christ's love for me as an individual- as my inner man is strengthened to know the height, and the depth and the width of His great love for me- it is then and only then that I begin to understand love at all. The world presents us with a full image of what love is NOT. But they can't quite outline for you what love really is, like the Bible does..
It is especially evident at Christmas time, I would say that only a shadow of true love is usually presented.. Gift giving, external awareness to those that are cold and hungry, time spent with family, rest and all our favorite meals, hospitable and festive parties, nostalgic songs etc.
The bottom line is all those things without Christ are worthless, because He is Love.
Romans 5 presents us with an unparalleled picture of love in Christ's death on the cross.
If we take the time to dwell on the Gospel daily we will see the love of God in our lives. We will more personally know His love for us, and it will undoubtedly grow us to be loving people, to be Christ-like.
I often evaluate my actions to see what is my source of diligence and motivation or why is it lacking. And it always, always comes down to my view of the Gospel on a daily timetable.
Our hearts are fickle!
If am spending time with my family, but not willing to go that extra mile- be it driving to their house when mine is so much closer, listening to their music when mine is obviously better :), or just plain listening instead of blabbing on like I tend to do- what do I really know of Love and what do they get to see of Christ's love in me?
If I serve tirelessly the Body of Christ, but can only think of all the other things I'd rather be doing or what so-and-so is wearing do I really,truly believe with all my heart that God Loves these people and that He urgently wants them to know?
If I go on missions trips for adventure, if I serve for the "thank you's", if I show up to work/class/ministry out of obligation, is my heart genuinely centered on the Gospel?
These are hard questions to ask, but I must ask frequently.
My own understanding of and dependence on Christ's unparalleled love will be proportionally manifested in my action.
CHERISH CHRIST!