“1 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 clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 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. 13 Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13 (New Living Translation).

I cannot tell you how powerful these verses are to me and how they have impacted how I do ministry. A leader can be charismatic and knowledgeable and articulate and talented and optimistic and visionary and faith-filled – but if he or she doesn’t love his flock with all his heart, he is worthless and useless as a leader. He might as well resign and go home. He’ll do more harm than good and people won’t listen to or follow someone who doesn’t love them.

The same is true of any Christian. People won’t believe your message about Jesus unless they feel love oozing from you. They won’t accept correction if they don’t see love twinkling in your eyes.

Do your eyes twinkle with love for others?