Love is patient,
love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does
not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take
into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Normally, I cover several verses in one devotional. But today’s verses need a more in-depth review, so for the next 14 days, we’re going to take a closer look at Paul’s descriptions of love. I know these words are read at engagement parties, weddings, and anniversary celebrations, but I don’t know about you, as I read these words, I’m somewhat—make that I’m a lot—overwhelmed. How in the world can anyone be all that Paul described?
The only person I know who manifested every one of them was Jesus—is Jesus. So let’s look at how Jesus was love. And let’s think about how we can love just a little more like He does.
Love is patient.
Oh dear. Do we have to start here? Patience isn’t necessarily the fruit of the Spirit I manifest most often. But Jesus is indeed patient. And we can be as well when we remember that this life is temporary. What happens here is temporary. What we have is temporary. Eternity with Jesus should be our focus.
Think about it. Why are we impatient? Because we want something right now. We want that job. That relationship. That car. That house. Now. And when we don’t get it in our timing, according to our plan, we get a bit upset—to put it lightly.
And we can’t love—certainly not as Christ did—when we’re feeling impatient.
I think patience has a lot to do with trust. If I trust God, I can patiently wait on His timing, knowing He’ll work everything according to His plan (see Rom. 8:28). If I trust you, patience comes relatively easy because I know you have my best interests at heart. I trust my husband, so I can be patient even if things aren’t moving as quickly as I like.
Be patiently loving today, just as Christ is. Those you love may be pleasantly surprised!
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Normally, I cover several verses in one devotional. But today’s verses need a more in-depth review, so for the next 14 days, we’re going to take a closer look at Paul’s descriptions of love. I know these words are read at engagement parties, weddings, and anniversary celebrations, but I don’t know about you, as I read these words, I’m somewhat—make that I’m a lot—overwhelmed. How in the world can anyone be all that Paul described?
The only person I know who manifested every one of them was Jesus—is Jesus. So let’s look at how Jesus was love. And let’s think about how we can love just a little more like He does.
Love is patient.
Oh dear. Do we have to start here? Patience isn’t necessarily the fruit of the Spirit I manifest most often. But Jesus is indeed patient. And we can be as well when we remember that this life is temporary. What happens here is temporary. What we have is temporary. Eternity with Jesus should be our focus.
Think about it. Why are we impatient? Because we want something right now. We want that job. That relationship. That car. That house. Now. And when we don’t get it in our timing, according to our plan, we get a bit upset—to put it lightly.
And we can’t love—certainly not as Christ did—when we’re feeling impatient.
I think patience has a lot to do with trust. If I trust God, I can patiently wait on His timing, knowing He’ll work everything according to His plan (see Rom. 8:28). If I trust you, patience comes relatively easy because I know you have my best interests at heart. I trust my husband, so I can be patient even if things aren’t moving as quickly as I like.
Be patiently loving today, just as Christ is. Those you love may be pleasantly surprised!
1 comment:
Thank you for starting this series and blog. I've incorporated it into my afternoon (lunch) devotional time!! Laura B
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