1 Corinthians 13.8-10 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it
will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but
when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. – St. Paul
In the myriad comings and goings of life, it is like an
iced tea on a hot day to read 1 Corinthians 13. It’s like a gifted and caring counselor
coming alongside the fretful and harried me, worried and bothered by all the agendas,
timelines, and business saying: Calm down, focus on what really matters: love never fails.
I think Paul was that
counselor to his friends in Corinth saying to them: Hey guys, love never fails. Remember that above all else, because not
everything – not even prophesies, tongues, or knowledge can do justice to the
love that God has for us. All of that stuff will reach an end, but the love of
God knows no boundaries; and one day He’ll bring it all come together.
We need to remember that.
It doesn’t mean we quit prophesying. It doesn’t mean we quit tongues. It doesn’t
mean we quit seeking the knowledge of God. But it does mean that we don’t get
so busy doing the good that we neglect the great. No one will care about our
buildings and programs – all that will matter when we got together, is they
felt a touch from Jesus, and their lives were somehow changed.
It seems we worship “big”. It seems we think that bigger
buildings and better programs are what people need. We push and we strive and
we clamor for what looks good on the outside, but what happens to people in the
process? Are the lives of the people focused on loving God and loving others?
Are people’s hearts and minds changed because of better carpet and paint? Or do
they sense they are loved and cared for and that someone has their best
interests in mind?
Is the church about activity, or is it about worshiping
God and seeking Him? The difference will be our love. The difference will be
our humility. The difference will be the lengths we go to, to have the presence
and power of Jesus to help and to guide the ones of today who really aren’t
sure if He is real, let alone, cares.
Our politics, preferences, and positioning need to
carefully monitored because if we’re not careful those things will drive us
because as we deem them good, how can
they be bad? And we’ll live life and ministry accordingly. But the great is what we’re called to and it is
the greatness of the Lord that is to drive us to do and to seek His will. His
love will make our way, not necessarily easier, but better. I think that is
what Paul was attempting to say to the church at Corinth and to us today.
Lord, Your love for
me is all that matters. From Your love is my ability to love You and to love
those around me. I pray today for wisdom to separate the good – which is good –
and live for the great, because it is better. All the stuff I hold so dear will
only get me so far – but Your love will get me home. Love never fails… Amen
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