In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul starts the chapter by saying "Follow the way of love..." (NIV). The NLT translation says it this way... "Let love be your highest goal".

While this exhortation from Paul seems to be something we would all agree with at face value, I don't think love is always our primary focus in life. There seems to be so many things that compete for our attention in this world that we live in. Thousands of media messages infiltrate our senses daily, pressures of work, family, bills, etc., etc. Even in the context of the life of Christian service, many things can get in the way of living a life of love. Respected author, Henri Nouwen once said "Nothing conflicts with the love of Christ like service to Christ".

I can remember one time I was getting ready to speak at a church and the well-meaning pastor asked me a question that jarred me... "I heard all of the 'Fatherheart' speakers before, what else do you have to share?" I was a little taken aback by his question, though I am sure he was sincere. I am not completely certain of how I responded, but in my heart I was screaming... there is nothing else!!!!

The love of God is the very foundation of life itself. 1 John 4:16 says that God is love, whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him. When Jesus responded to the question of what was the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:34-40 that God required, He simply said Love God and love others as you love yourself  and everything else will sort itself out in life (my paraphrase).

The very nature of love is humble, kind and not self-seeking (1 Cor. 13:4-8), so it doesn't shout in the streets to get attention or forcefully impose itself on anyone or anything. Love is often overlooked as we are 'wowed' by more external, exciting things. Yet love continues to wait, until we have exhausted every other option in life.

When we come to our senses and realize that love is the only thing that really matters, then we can point our heart towards home and run into the welcoming embrace of love. A father's love, a mother's love, a brother's love, a bridegroom's love, a friend's love... Every love that we need is found in one source. The Triune God - Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. (1 Cor. 14:1 The Message)