Five Minus One Equals Zero

It's Saturday morning. Had a great time last night socializing and gaming with friends. We are getting to know this couple we love without knowing much about. Love is one of the dynamics of God's transforming works in the human heart. Love is the essense of God. 1John 4:8. Love is the mark of his true children. John 13:35. I guess I am seeing this more because of a book I am reading, Leading with Love by Alexander Strauch.

We get talking about strategy, vision, leadership and a host of exciting things but bottom line is, if we are not operating from a motivaton of love we are a big zero in our attempt to be a leader. Matthew 9:36.

Strauch has a little paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that is a good Saturday morning meditation because Sunday is coming and the REASON we lead will be put to the test. Check this out:

If I were the most gifted communicator to ever preach,

so that millions of people were moved by my oratory,

but didn't have love, I would be an annoying, empty wind-bag

before God and people.

If I had the most charismatic personality, so that

everyone was drawn to me like a powerul magnet, but

didn't have Christ-like love, I would be a phony, a dud.

If I were the greatest visionary leader the church has ever heard,

but didn't have love, I would be misguided and lost.

If I were the bestselling author on theology and church growth,

but didn't have love, I would be an empty-headed failure.

If I sacrificially gave all my waking hours to discipling

future leaders, but did it without love,

I would be a false guide and model.

taken from: Leading with Love, Alexander Strauch, Lewis & Roth Publishers, 2007

Hey, ". . . if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. " 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

Just Thinking