But it (love) is happy with the
truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops
hoping, never gives up.
How do these words above land in
your mind, heart, and soul this day? I
really want to know. Are you finding
this study of 1 Corinthians illuminating, exhausting, or a bit of both? Are you growing weary of focusing on love
because it takes so much energy and effort to show care to others? Where are you at? Love, Paul says, is happy with the
truth. So, be truthful with yourself and
God. Do you have questions, or want
clarification, or would you like an exemption for loving that
person, because believe me, I have a list of people in my heart today I would
rather not be kind, patient, or believe God can unharden their hearts. You are part of a community of interpreters
who for centuries have sought to playfully and prayerfully wrestle with these
words. Note the two words, playfully
and prayerfully. Sometimes
we get so serious and somber with the Bible.
Sometimes we act as if we just try harder, we can solve every mystery
there is.
In the end, love is a mystery,
just like God, who is love radiating and reverberating. I cannot predict love. I cannot control love. I cannot tell love where to go or who to
avoid. Love is. Period, full stop. The moment I think I have love all figured out
(which I am laughing right now at even writing that sentence because I have never
had love all figured out), love will always evolve and expand and embrace a new
space I thought wasn’t practical or possible.
Take love out for a cup of
coffee, tea, lunch, or on a walk. I pray
today you will risk letting love loose, especially in a situation you would
never think that word is possible. I
pray most of all that you will pay attention to how love shows up in your life
and sings to your soul. May you and I
both discover fun, faithful, and creative ways to be love-activated in the
world, letting our belovedness loose.
Amen.
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