Fall in love
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
-1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love, a common denominator in how we relate—to God, to others, and to ourselves. As followers of Christ, love is our trademark for all things.
It is often understood as an intense feeling of deep affection. However, biblically, love has a much deeper and richer meaning; it transcends a feeling or emotion. This is what we see in 1 Corinthians 13. Paul tells us that love isn’t merely a feeling but a way of relating to others.
While most of us are fairly familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, slowing down to read it empowers us to enjoy subtle beauties we may otherwise miss. In this timeless passage on love, Paul uses poetic symmetry to deepen his point. He lists eight things love embraces and eight things love resists.
We can begin by putting these into practice with those closest to us, our family. As outlined in 1 Corinthians, we’re called to love everyone God brings into our lives. We may be experiencing extremely anxious and unsetting times as a deadly virus spreads throughout the world. It’s easy for fear to take hold and control our thoughts, emotions, and actions. The good news of the Gospel is that we have a remedy for fear—courageous love.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:18
Deeper Engagement
Prayer
Father, thank You for the courageous love You’ve expressed to me through Christ. Thank You for the patience, kindness, and perseverance You embrace me with each day. As I celebrate Your goodness in my life, I pray You would also use me as an instrument of goodness in the lives of others. Open my heart and mind to ways I can demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to those nearby, in my community, and around the world. Amen.
—-