Right Priorities!

Right Priorities!

And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:2 AMP

Life seems to be all about the physical manifestations of spiritual gifts and natural talents. The world sits up, takes notice of and rewards human beings on the basis of their talents and endowments. Just as it is true about the physical, so it is true about the spiritual. God even expects me to use all the gifts He's given me to bless the lives of other people. But of course, to everything God commands, there is a context.

God is always speaking, and he desires to lead and guide his people right. There will be times when he sends his warnings, or it could be encouragement and support. Whatever may be the message, today's extract seems to underline one important factor: love must sit at the base and support of all I do. The gift of prophecy is a blessing to the church and any generation in which it thrives, and the gift of faith has moved mountains, healed diseases and made science sometimes look foolish. Yet, it would appear that the essence of all these gifts must be love in its real form.

Can I use these gifts outside of love? Can I see myself as the most important part of my community, simply because nobody else has my peculiar gifts? Do I see myself as irreplaceable, simply because my gifts make me popular? In the first place, are the gifts about me, the vessel and instrument, or about God, the giver and sustainer? Interestingly, all that have been mentioned come from God: the gifts and the love, but for God, He would rather I show love than show off my talents. Talents are limited in their eternal value, but Love is the very definition of God himself.

Without love, there is not much the world will notice or appreciate. Gifts may be seen, applauded or even ignored, but love cannot be ignored. It may not be appreciated at the time, but if I persist, long after gifts and talents have ceased, love will continue to speak, and maybe generations after will reap the fruits of the love sown today. What are my priorities today? His time of favour is here.