This story below by Eric Butterworth so beautifully illustrates the importance of love. It’s been around for a while and perhaps you have already read this but it serves as a great reminder of the power of love.
A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future. In every case the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.” Twenty-five years later, another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to the 200 boys. With the exception of 20 who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, “How do you account for your success?” In each case, the reply came with feeling, “There was a teacher.”
The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull the boys out of the slums into successful achievement.
The teacher’s eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. “It’s really very simple,” she said. “I loved those boys” (Butterworth, 1993).
After God led his people out of slavery in Egypt He set them up to succeed. Through Moses He gave them “Decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess” (Deut. 6:1)
It’s incredibly interesting to me that after He gave them the guidelines to succeed he told them to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Duet 6:5)
He didn’t say “Love My rules with all your heart…” Instead, He placed the importance on the relationship of love.
This teaches us that relationship comes before the rules. Love then motivates obedience.
Are you seeking after an all-out love relationship with Christ?
His love is powerful! His love transforms a life that doesn’t have a chance into more than ordinary.
“Image courtesy of [“Love Hand” by luigi diamanti] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.
Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky