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CHRISTLIKE LOVE
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or
boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way
... It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
In this chapter of the
Bible, which is often misunderstood, Paul is trying to express
that spiritual gifts are secondary to love. He emphasizes that
the need for such gifts will soon come to an end, when Christ
comes again. Ultimately, Paul is emphasizing the need for more
Christlike love.
I thought about how I have forgotten the important things, like
God's love and the love that I need to give people. How many
times have the wrong things gotten in the way of love?
I have been blessed with many people in my life who show the
Christlike love mentioned in this Bible verse. These are the
people who stand by your side when you feel like the world is
shutting you out. They come in many different forms - family
members, friends, spouses, etc. You know when you have this kind
of love from someone.
People who give this kind of love don't look at your past, your
mistakes or your shortcomings. They love you no matter what.
Dear Lord, we ask for your peace that passes all understanding
to come to everyone this year. Use this time to draw us to you,
and give us much grace today and every day as we learn to trust
not in our own understanding but to trust in you. Help us to let
go of all the anger and frustration.
Lord, you make all
things work if we let you. Help us to just surrender all this to
you and fill us with a knowledge of your love and grace and
assurance that you will guide us today and in the days to come.
Help us to not fear tomorrow but rather look with anticipation
to the future. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Katie Johnson
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