Thoughts from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

I’ve come back to these words many times over the years. They tell us that love is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not rude or demanding. That love doesn’t keep a little ledger of wrongs, waiting to bring them up at just the right moment…  I’ll confess, I’ve been tempted to keep one now and then.

To me, this passage shows us what Jesus’ love looks like when it gets down into ordinary life. Love isn’t merely a warm feeling. It is choosing patience when someone is difficult, kindness when we’re tired, humility when we’d rather be right, and forgiveness when we’ve been hurt. And notice what love does not do, it doesn’t delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. Real love isn’t pretending that wrong doesn’t matter. It tells the truth, but it does so with mercy. Love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. It just keeps showing up.

Over the years there has been times that my own love ran thin rather quickly. But when I remember how patiently Jesus has loved me… with all my failures, fears, and foolishness, His love begins to flow through me toward others.

So folks, if you feel you’re falling short today, don’t despair. Bring that very weakness to Jesus. He is still teaching us to love, one person, one moment, one grace-filled choice at a time.

May the Lord fill your heart with a love that is gentle, strong, truthful, and faithful and may someone feel a little more loved because you crossed their path today.

Have a blessed day!