“Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically.” ~ Romans 12:9                 

“Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love builds up and makes us helpful to others.” ~ 1 Corinthians 8:1

My wife has a saying she uses frequently in our house, “do you only want to be right, or would you rather be effective?” 

Everyone wants to be right, right? It’s embarrassing for the ego to be wrong. It’s not wrong to not want to be wrong. It’s simple human nature perpetuated by our competitive culture. 

But love, love is not in a race to be right. Love seeks to edify the ones around us, including ourselves. Love is not in a hurry to make it’s point and crush the opponent with its immense knowledge. Nope, on the contrary, love would rather take last place in the “right” debate in order to protect, comfort and nurture. 

Love is the only way to be “right,” and love is not interested in only being right. Love is secure in itself and it’s dependency upon the Spirit to make all things “right.”

Love always wins, especially when added together with common sense and knowledge. Think about that as you interact with others today and be content with slowing down for the sake of others. Seek to build them up and promote their wellbeing; you’ll know you’re being effective if you foster a culture of patience, kindness and compassion everywhere you go. 

Prayer

God, you are so effective with me. Your love is so patient and kind with me. You always have been. I want to love others in my life the way you have loved me. Thank you for loving me, and loving through me, in every interaction today. Let it be done, and let it be so. Amen.