This final entry on the fruits of the spirit concerns love. I saved love for last because of its power. I believe it encompasses all of the other fruits.
The love that I will discuss as a fruit of the spirit is agape (ἀγάπη) love, which is the truest form of love. It is unconditional love through choice and not by happenstance. It is unconquerable goodwill. Agape love differs from other forms of love that people express. These forms that will not be discussed are philia (φιλία) love, or loyalty to friends; eros (ἔρως) love, or romantic/passionate longing; and storge (στοργή) love, or the natural affection like that a parent feels for a child.
The Class of 2009’s motto for the Zambia build was “Built with Love”. When we reached Zambia, our goal was to work in the spirit of love. If we were to claim a conquest at the end of our journey, it would be to have spread agape love to all whom we have touched, and to receive it back.
We were never alone in mixing cement, digging out a foundation, laying bricks, or shoveling backfill. We were part of a diverse, international team that included the future homeowners themselves. We had our foremen, additional contractors, our Habitat coordinators, future neighbors of the homeowners, fellow villagers, and ourselves. All of these team members realized the truth of what a home built with love could do in a family’s life. They rejoiced at the opportunity to be a part of it, and to let this truth continue to prevail.
There are three different models of service: doing for, doing with, and being with. The first one implies subjugation and does not emphasize the relationships built. The second one acknowledges cooperation, but it puts a heavier focus on the tasks rather than the relationships. The third model reflects an emphasis on relationships, on service that is not self-seeking. It does not take into account the titles, status, or backgrounds of the participants. It is the true spirit of goodwill; it is love.
In serving our Periclean partners, we are a part of a community that gives and takes equally. For every act of service we give to our partners, they give us a feeling, a token, a word of thanks in return. For every photo we take, for each memory and story we take, our partners take hugs, memories, and more. My only reason for mentioning this is because this dynamic is hidden and not considered. We do not keep score. Our partners give more to us than we could ever imagine, and vice versa. We do not do favors for one another; we are of service to one another. I believe that this dynamic, and the lack of scorekeeping, grows agape love in the Periclean spirit. This is unconquerable goodwill.
During the closing ceremonies, it was said that our greatest failure would be if we did not return to Kawama to grow the community and build more houses, in the same spirit as when we first arrived. We certainly took this to heart and laid the foundation for future groups to come. In May-June 2011, we showed our obedience to our word by sending a second Elon team to complete a build. Our class, and the program as a whole, consistently lives up to the expectation of sustained partnerships. This loyalty is a measure of love, as agape love never ends.
Lontia’s and Rosemary’s homes were built with love. The Periclean program grows the spirit of love through the nature of its service. As a result of the Periclean opportunity to serve, the fruit of love has grown immeasurably in the hearts of Elon’s Periclean Scholars and those they touch. To end this series, I shall continue in the spirit of thanks, to acknowledge the impact of the Periclean program on growing the fruits of the spirit in me - all of them being encompassed by love. Thank you for assisting me on the journey toward obedience to virtue.
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