Love Is the Greatest
‘If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.’ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13(NLT)
There are many ways to express love. You can buy gifts, give compliments, a pat on the back, or a heartfelt smile. All of these are valid expressions of love.
But there is something that speaks even louder to the priority of relationship than any of these things.
That’s why love is spelled T – I – M – E. The depth of a relationship is directly proportional to the time you invest in it.
Last year, our ministry was invited to partner with Johnny Hunt at his annual men’s conference. While attending, I had the opportunity to ask Johnny, “What is the one thing you have learned about marriage that you could share with me?” He said, “Nothing replaces spending quality time with your spouse.” Then he shared three statements with me that I have put into my own words. If these are applied, they will help you grow and strengthen your relationship with your mate.
1. Dialogue Daily
Have at least one meaningful conversation with your spouse every day. Make a point to ask one important question to unlock his or her heart. Here are some questions I have put on my list, but I encourage you to develop your own:
- If there is one thing I could change to be a better spouse, what would that one thing be?
- What do you dream about most?
- What concerns you most about the children right now?
- What is the one thing you would like me to do to lead you spiritually?
- Describe the perfect dream date.
- Who is your best friend and why?
- What is most important to you in our marriage?
2. Date Weekly
Secure a night on the calendar every week and jealously guard it. Make it a priority to go out once a week and have fun together! When your spouse has one uninterrupted night with you each week, they will know they are a priority!
3. Depart Quarterly
Okay, even if you can’t go to the Ritz Carlton, the idea is to get away from the monotony of life, the stress of kids, the hectic schedule, and enjoy quality time during a weekend every three months with your mate.
It may seem unromantic to be strategic about love. After all, an exciting relationship with your spouse involves feelings and emotions of spontaneity. But a long-term, healthy, thriving relationship requires a certain level of planning.
Anyone can fall in love, but it takes work to stay that way. And, being strategic doesn’t mean you have to take the spice out of your relationship.
from 5 Essentials For A Happy Marriage