1 Corinthians 13 1-13v 4 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud “
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. But love will last forever. Three things will last forever- faith, hope and love- and the greatest of these is love.”
Although I have quoted a few verses from this familiar passage , one I actually read at my sisters wedding, it is always good to read the entire paragraph again. This is how the bible can be used to transform us, the community we live in and the world. By not just reading the words, but understanding them and doing , James 2 v 14-26 v 17 “In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it does not cause you to do any good things.” And the results ? We will have a great day, or our “bad” day can be transformed into a good day, and the community we are a part of is transformed, and the world.
For me last Monday when we were still locked down, was a “bad” day. It was too cold, too quiet, and not fair that everyone was still stuck at home due to the pandemic restrictions. When was “normal life” going to come back? I banged around in the kitchen; my husband stayed in his workshop. I stomped up and down the stairs looking for knitting needles to start a project and found every size except the one I needed so changed the project I had planned to work on. The last time I walked up the stairs I looked up. There on the steps were these words “Love is patient, love is Kind” I didn’t stop in my tracks, but I did slow down and read the entire verse that I have on my stairs. I realize that I had a choice. To be miserable or to be loving and kind. I took a deep breath and took stock of where I was at. I was in a lovely warm house, I had technology to keep me entertained, to learn something new, or connect with others. I had worked for over 40 years outside the home, now I could enjoy the quiet and slow down. And I have time to write. And luckily God loved me first. God is patient and kind with me when I have a down day and knowing that picked me up and turned my quiet time into a time of reflection and peace. Thanks be to God.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for showing us through you Son and his actions on earth how much you love us. That trusting you, your love, and your word will transform our day, our community and our world. Amen.
CrossWalk 