Devotional

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-12.

We often misunderstand love. We are good to those we love, so we misinterpret the goodness as love, and the response to the goodness, the warm, fuzzy feelings are also misinterpreted as love. That is merely the kindness part of love. Love is also patient, like we love a difficult child. Love keeps its composure no matter what obstacles come up. Love also disciplines because it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love hangs in there no matter what.

Love is the foundation of how we learn and grow. Love is what brings us and holds us together. There will come a time when faith is manifested in truth fully revealed, and hope will manifest in dwelling with God forever. Love is not affected by time, but lasts into eternity. God is love. And the most amazing thing is God loves you and me.

Prayer

We see dimly. We feel dimly. We love dimly. Lord, we long for the day when we will see you face to face and our sight will be fully restored. We long for the day when we will linger in your embrace and feel fully. We long for the day when we will look on all of creation and love as deeply as you have designed us to love. For today, we lean on you, Holy Spirit, on your sight, and soul, and strength – to love out of your perfection where we are lacking.

Scripture Memorization

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Flood Waters by Josh Garrels

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs