So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (TPT)

Let Love Be The Beautiful Prize – Start With Love Series – Part 5

Go to PART 1  |  PART 2  |  PART 3  |  PART 4  |  PART 5

Whether you’re writing resolutions, or setting intentions, or making lists and promises, or setting goals and targets, start with this one thing:

Love.

Maybe you’re not the kind of person that does New Year resolutions or sets goals or makes visions boards. Maybe you think that stuff is too cliché and just not your vibe. That’s OK, too. You don’t need resolutions or goals or a new year to put love back in its rightful place in your life.

And what is it’s rightful place?

Everywhere. All over it, within it, and around it. It’s a work in progress, something you grow into; you learn to love on the way; by doing the work. Love changes in all the different seasons and ages of your life, too.

Putting love in the center is a joyful, never-ending practice. You can start whenever you want. You can start again whenever you need. There’s no conditions or entry fees or application processes. There is only love and more of it for you to discover and engage.

If you’ve got grand plans for your life, don’t make them because you feel you are currently inadequate, or that those around you aren’t doing a good enough job. Don’t change your life, or set a course, or make a plan based on anger, frustration, shame, greed, or hatred.

Start with love.

Do it because you love others.
Do it because you love the Divine.
Do it because you love yourself.

When you start with love, you set yourself up to win no matter what happens. In fact, when you start with love, you already have.

“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving… There are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.” (1 Cor 13:4-8, 13 TPT).

Written by Liz Milani