Love isn't about Dominion, it's about compassion!

     I have been struggling with ways to become connected to the city of Chicago in a very real way; I have asked God to show me the importance of laboring and working in community with others. I am reminded that God exists in three parts, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; He exists in a community of perfect relationship. I have found that it is also important to remember that I am made in God's image and that I too must exist, worship, learn, lead etc. in a community sort of fashion, as is evidenced in Genesis 1:26 where God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." But, He continues on to say, "And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”   
 
     My take away from this is that to engage this world, and in my case Chicago, I must participate in a community of believers who sharpen me, challenge me, and encourage me to grow in my faith. But the second part of  Genesis 1:26 was a little puzzling, (here is where my hermeneutics (biblical interpretation) teacher would be proud of me). What Dr. J told us is "don't just pay attention to what is written, but also remember to take into account what isn't."

Here is the point: To me, as God gives man dominion (authority) over the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the livestock of the earth, and over every creeping thing; He DOES NOT give humankind dominion over each other. Rather, He desires a partnership, a conglomerate of like-minded individuals, a community of believers to complement one another. Ultimately, though, this conglomerate has been created to glorify Him.

Here is my question to you:

 How can this be accomplished in judging our fellow man, going to battle with those we don't agree with, and hating those who take on a different world view?

If there is one thing I have learned from the book of Genesis it is the attribute of Love, that God puts forth over and over again as an imperative part of His communication to all.

I'll leave it in God's inspiration to explain:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  

Got Love?