the Faith element?

this weekend i was asked, “what is the most important/ needed element of faith?”. The first thing that popped in my mind was trust, as we needed to trust in the Lord and submit ourselves willingly and wholly to Him. As i pondered over it further, i realized, behind that trust is love.

Having faith is like being in love and in a relationship with God, to the point of even being married to God. My explanation is as such:

When you’re in love and happy, you do everything in your power for that person, just so you’d please that person. Even if it means sacrifice on your end, you do so anyway, just to make your partner happy. You’d look your best, your partner would make you feel your best. You’d want to spend every waking moment with your partner. Your partner would be your best friend, your confidante, the one you turn to for love, support and care. Your partner would know you inside out, and read you like an open book. Your partner would shower you with gifts and surprises, you in turn would show your appreciation.

However, a relationship as with any other, is not easy. Life isn’t all about a bed of roses. Sometimes, things don’t work out between your partner and you. You’d end up feeling utterly frustrated and angry at your partner, miscommunication might take place too. Yet when fights and arguments occur, a healthy couple would seek to work things out and talk things out. A compromise of give and take to make the bond stronger and closer. You of course, would feel the distance from your partner and seek your partner out again, wanting to close the gap between the both of you. You’d persuade each other and make it up to each other.

Sometimes, your partner would say things, confrontational things you wouldn’t like or agree to. Although you know how much they care enough, to say the things they do. They of course, want the best for you. A partner may sometimes act like a parental figure, always protective over you making sure no harm comes to you or making sure you make the right choices or at least learn from your mistakes. your partner in that duration, would not leave you.

When you’re so much in love, the very thought of breaking up or walking away seems the most atrocious idea ever. You simply could not bear that very thought. Imagine how much more so if you were married to your partner where divorce is simply not an option at all.

Love may cause you hurt, love may cause you joy. Love in itself is a journey, full of ups and downs, with adventure in between. Love brings two individuals closer together, strengthen in their bond together by knowing one another inside out and accepting the person as they are and loving them nonetheless. Love is giving your heart to another in hopes that they take better care of it than yourself.

With love comes everything else, trust, emotions, determination, passion, commitment. So love, to me, is the most important and needed aspect of our faith. After all, as the verse in Corinthians describes love, love is ultimately God Himself.

I have so much love to give
yet it seems, not meant for you
love I hope kept and meant for Him above.