“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” Franklin P. Jones

As we near the end of the first week in the new year, several thoughts could be shared to help us approach every situation, relationship and decision, but one word encompasses the whole of our leadership for the year ahead: love.

While we often hear that love makes the world go round, this is little more than a nice saying. The thought by Jones only adds to the expression with another nice saying, but the commonality of both statements is the whole of perfection.

Love is the perfect bond of unity.

Love is the greatest among faith, hope and love.

Loving neighbor as self is the fulfillment of the royal law.

Perfect love casts out fear.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is to be demonstrated above all to God, toward friend, spouse, brother and enemy.

There is much more that could be said about love, but suffice it to say; when love is the foundation, formation, and finishing of our words and actions, godly leadership is exemplified.