So as we
hone in on the essence of discovery and development we must define what makes
us uniquely powerful. By that I do not
mean that we alone possess a power but that it is what defines us and our path
to serving the greater good.
Since all of
these powers are rooted in the common power we must share we must begin with
that. As Christ followers we have the
power to love. We can unconditionally love
everyone if we choose to do so.
All power
and all ability is useless if not rooted in love. No matter what else we are gifted with it
must be preceded by, encased in, and powered by love for others.
I may speak in
the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud
gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have
the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and
have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I
don't have love, I am nothing. I may
even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don't
have love, none of these things will help me. Love is
patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It
isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It
doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of
wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is
done, but it is happy with the truth. Love
never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never
gives up. Love never comes to an end. -
Paul
This is the
power that has no counter. Hatred is not
the opposite of love it is the resistance of it. When the two clash eventually love wins
out. Every other thing we do must be
fueled by love for those we serve. No
matter what I do for others. No matter
how I benefit those around me. If I do not do it out of love it is impure.
There is no
kryptonite against love except our own will.
We can refuse to love and others will not benefit. We can withhold love and it will make others
miserable. Everything about what we are
supposed to be is about love. That which
is heroic in us; the super power we all share is our capacity to love others
unconditionally and eternally.
A DISCLAIMER
For those
who know me, I promise I have not gone mad.
I am using this extended metaphor intentionally to better process my
thoughts. I promise not to try to fly or
deflect any bullets. I will not be
donning a strange costume or building a secret lair.
Addendum to disclaimer: I do like the
idea of a secret lair.
Second Addendum to disclaimer: I am going to keep my secret identity.
Wishing you
joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So
Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of
Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new
and old things from his great treasure store."
Posts
"[Love] is the power that has no counter." - I love this. It fueled my thoughts about God further in light of the verse "God is love". In other words, everything that pure love is mirrors God's nature and character. At the same time, love is what God is. There is no "opposite" of God- what would be the opposite is simply what is not. In other words, YHWH, "I Am Who Am" is God's name. The opposing force, which is nothing at all would be all things that are not. "In Him we live and move and have our being." I always thought the opposite of love was pride, but now I realize love has no opposite, just root forces which resist being overcome by it, and pride is the father of them all. Regardless of it's seminal nature as such, pride is still no opposite for God. God is all powerful, and it's opposite is no power. God is everlasting and it's opposite is never-existing, God is all knowing and it's opposite is no-knowing. The opposite of God is nothing at all, and so, as you said, the opposite of love is that same. It does not exist, because it cannot. That is the nature of all which is not of God. Thanks for the post- perhaps an elementary thought, but it was good for me to process it here.
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