Your Love Quotient
Recently we partnered with a friend to aid in hosting a surprise birthday party for her husband. Ten of us had gathered at the seafood restaurant waiting patiently for the husband and wife, accompanied by another collaborating couple, to walk through the entrance. When they arrived, we exuberantly stood up and sang the happy birthday song to him. It took a moment to register, but eventually the husband realized the song was for him and the bewilderment faded into smiles, hugs and laughter. The evening turned into such a joyous time of celebration and fun. Sharing our stories and faith together 
brought sweet fellowship; both our physical and spiritual bodies were satisfied and content.
This event was extremely fulfilling. But what about our overall level of contentment? Are we satisfied in the present state of our walk with God? Do we feel our relationship with Him is open, thriving and growing? Are there areas where we perceive some change is needed? Are we spiritually content?
Spiritual maturity is similar to physical maturity: we can look back and see how we’ve grown. Many of us use marks on a wall to note the rate at which our kids get taller. Some of us have to buy new clothes and shoes often for them as their bodies refuse to be contained in their present ones – trousers get shorter, sleeves get tighter. So in regards to spiritual growth, how do we measure it?
One simple word: love. It’s not praying more, it’s not evangelizing more, it’s not even reading the Bible more – all of which are great. But 1 Cor. 13:13 tells us that God’s love in our life is the greatest measurement of our growth. The whole chapter states many “works” we can do and many understandings we can have, but without love, there has been no growth. Paul defines love pretty well in these verses and, much like the markings on the wall, we can stand next to them to track our progress.
Of course, none of us measure up, and we never will this side of heaven, but we CAN check our growth . . . unless we’re content to be stumped.
I’ve never met a young child who didn’t want to grow and get bigger. Even my son, who’s 20 now, wants bigger muscles. Children are not satisfied with stagnation; they want to “get as tall as daddy,” or “get old enough I can live on my own.” They want growth. So should be our attitude with our spiritual growth. Not trying to grow by keeping all the rules and regulations, but by loving well. Am I exhibiting the characteristics of love from 1 Cor. 13 when I’m in public, in the car, with friends and family, or just at church?
I can look back, even over this last year, and see ways in which I have grown in love, yet I still have a long way to go. I want my relationship with God and others to be full of life. I want to be a reflection of His Word and His glory, open for the world to read and spread light into. I don’t want to become stale and stuck from not moving; I want to get taller, bigger, and stronger in God!