Life Is About Relationships, Not Accomplishments

In review of 1 Corinthians 13:3 today, I read:  “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (The Message)

Love is more important than all the spiritual gifts exercised. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle-working power produce very little without love. Love makes my actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone.

In Galatians 5:6, I see that the Bible is very clear about what really matters in life: “If you are a follower of Christ Jesus . . . all that matters is your faith that makes you love others” (CEV).

If I don’t live a life of love, then nothing I say, know, believe or give will matter.

Finally, if I don’t live a life of love, nothing I accomplish will matter.

I can rack up an incredible list of personal achievements. I can get your picture on the cover of Fortune magazine. I can win the Nobel Peace Prize. I can have enormous accomplishments, be entrepreneur of the year, build a billion-dollar company, have incredibly great successes in my field of endeavor. But the Bible says it isn’t worth much if I don’t love. The Bible says—God says, relationships are more important than accomplishments.

Life is about relationships, not accomplishments.

It’s as simple as this: I can have the eloquence of an orator, the knowledge of a genius, the faith of a miracle worker, the generosity of a philanthropist, or the achievements of a superstar, but if I don’t have love in my heart, it is worth zero. It doesn’t count. The only thing that matters to God is this: Do I love him, and do I love others?

One day I’ll die, and I’ll be standing before God. When he evaluates my life, he’s not going to look at my bank account or my list of accomplishments. He’s not going to look at my endorsements or my resume.

God will evaluate my life on one basis: my relationships. He’s going to ask, “How much did you love me and others?” That’s called the Great Commandment. Did I love God with all my heart, and did I love my neighbor as myself?

That’s why Paul teaches that what matters most is my faith being expressed through love.

In summary, no matter what I say, believe or do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love is more important than all the spiritual gifts exercised. Love is what makes my actions useful. For what really matters is faith that makes me love others. Without it, nothing I say, know, believe, give or accomplish will matter. I need to keep in mind that relationships are more important than accomplishments. The only thing that matters to God is: Do I love him and do I love others. In the end when God evaluates my life, he's not going to look at my bank account, list of accomplishments, endorsements or even my resume. Therefore Paul teaches that what matters most is my faith being expressed through love. For God will evaluate my life based on what I have done with relationships.

In retrospect, I have so many things that hit me for information, help and assistance, that it becomes overwhelming? Many of these tasks take time and effort. This coupled with the pressure of deadlines makes often times not speak in love or take loving approaches to handling them. I believe God wants me to take an approach to respond with a more loving heart and manner. Spend the time it takes to provide care.  

I write this today as I spend time admitted in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics and monitoring for the infection I have. I have experienced nurses and assistants here who are in a hurry a bit rushed and those that, even though they have a lot going on, spent quality time with me to understand my case fully (i.e. Shane.)

I pray Father that you will help me slow down my life, take the time to listen and to provide what is needed instead of rushing through it. If I can incorporate this into my life and actions, I can truly make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for showing me examples of this first hand to witness and experience. I pray for healing and that through my time here, the doctors and staff can make the best decisions possible for my health.