Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7
On this 6th day of November, with grateful hearts, we give thanks to God for the gift of love, for the knowledge of how to love more fully, and for the promise that love will never fail.
Have you ever tried to come up with a definition of love, write a poem about its mystery, or even a song about its heartache and pain? It’s not an easy task and no matter how much we try, we always seem to be lacking. We may have trouble defining love or explaining it, but none of us doubt that it is the greatest gift and blessing we could ever receive.
In 1 Corinthians 13, we find one of the most beautiful and familiar passages in Scripture, and it is one we need to often hear. One of its greatest truths is that love has no limits, no boundaries. “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Such endearing love is only possible through the grace of God, for it has its source in God. We can’t begin to express the depth of such love, or even understand it, until we can reconcile in our minds and hearts that this is the infinite love that God has given each of us. And only through Him, can we ever have the power to love in such an unconditional and giving way
Paul describes such a love as more than an emotion. He says it needs to be seen, experienced, and demonstrated. He defines it in terms of action, attitude and behavior , but most of all, he expresses that love requires an unselfish spirit. Our selfishness motivates us to always seek our own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard to another’s happiness. But if we truly love, we must do it God’s way, and His way never fails.
How grateful we are for the people God has placed in our lives to love and to love us. What a privilege and joy to know how to give those we love the best of ourselves. How grateful we are that God loves us so unconditionally, and may we love Him in return for His goodness to us.
Prayer
Our most gracious and loving God, thank you for showing us how to love and appreciate those people in our lives we care about. Help us to love others with the same pure, unselfish, and forgiving love as you give us. Amen.
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