Albert Schweitzer was a giant of the 20th century. Doctor, Theologian, Author, Organ Builder, Missionary, and Concert Organist; if you want to feel like an under-achiever, Google his biography.
My favorite story of him concerned his preaching. From time to time he would stand in front of his congregation and “preach” from 1 John 4:7-8:
Beloved, let us love one another. Love is of God
and everyone who loves is born of God
and knows God. The one who does not love
does not know God, for God is love.
After reading the passage, he would close the Bible and sit down. Waiting for the rest of the sermon, someone asked, “Yes, and what else?” Schweitzer’s reply: “There is nothing more. Beloved, let us love one another.”
I don’t know if I like this story because a pastor was criticized for preaching sermons too short, or because one of the most brilliant people in the world saw the essence of Faith is Love. For all the libraries full of books and history books full of controversy, following Jesus is still about loving one another. It is that simple- and that difficult.
There is nothing more.
Question:
Where will love be most difficult- and needed, in your encounters, today?
