Words and music by Hal Hopson, 1972 (Melody adapted from a Traditional English melody)
Based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

I have had the opportunity to listen to many speakers throughout my life.  Most have adequately held my attention and imparted useful knowledge.  Several have been painfully inadequate, difficult to sit through and imparted little if any useful knowledge.  Then there are the extremely rare, dynamic speakers.  They grab and hold your attention.  You find yourself hanging on their every word.  They inspire you to act, to change your life and the lives of those around you.

Musicians have the same affect, some are adequate, some are not, and a few are dynamic and inspirational.  No matter how inspirational the music or the words, if the performance is not backed-up with love it is all in vain.

There is quite a bit of rhetoric going on around the world these days.  It is often difficult to discern truth from deception.  A good barometer though is how much love is embedded in the message.

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Is your Facebook news feed as full of requests for charitable donations as mine is?  Even birthday reminders come with an option for charitable donations.  If I were to donate $5 to every worthy charity, I would spend my entire retirement savings.  Then there are the political ads all asking for donations to fund this or that campaign.

Giving away all our possessions is not equal to professing one’s love.  To give out of obligation brings no joy and even less profit.  A gift, no matter how small, carries great worth when given from the heart.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship and are freed.

God wants to give you the gift of Love; will you accept it?  Will you turn your heart over to God and give him complete control of it?  Will you allow him to make your spirit whole and to fill your heart with love?  Only then can love guide your every action and free you from the bondage of hatred.

Amen.