Love

Today’s passage is known as the love passage. Typically this passage will be read at weddings; however, this is not a passage limited to marital relationships. Paul makes it clear that if we do not have love, we are nothing. Love should be behind everything we do and everything we say. Love should be our motive. Love should be our directional compass. 

Love is patient. Love is not easily irritated with people. Love does not take offense. It pours out grace for others, knowing that we are all flawed. It makes allowances for others. Love is gentle and kind to all people — consistently kind to all means that you are not only kind to those whom it’s easy to show kindness, but rather to every person including the difficult ones. Love is not jealous when others are being blessed, but rather rejoices along with them. Love does not brag or or puff themselves up because it believes the best in others. Love does not display shame or disrespect because love honors everyone. Love sees the value in everyone. Love also does not seek its own honor. Love celebrates the truth. Love is a safe shelter and love never gives up. 

As we chew upon this passage today, we must ask ourselves the question: Is love behind everything we do and everything we say? Are we lacking in love? How can we love better? A big way to love more is to spend more time with God. We know that He is love and He loved first so He is the only One who can help us love better. Love is a choice. Love is an action. Love is a verb. Today, may you choose love.

“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance.Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [TPT]

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the people you place in our lives. Lord, help us to love deeply. Lord, help us to be patient. May the same grace You pour out on us be the same grace we give to others. Lord, help us to be kind when others are not so kind. Help us to honor others above ourself. Lord, may our words and deeds glorify You. May all we do and all we say be anchored in love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!