What Love Is….

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday. I’ve always liked the thought of focusing on love in mid-winter! In today’s brief and simple post, I’d like to re-visit a familiar portion of Scripture found in the New Testament that is often referred to as the love chapter.

1 Corinthians 13 is commonly known as the Bible’s Love Chapter. It is quite brief, but its words are mighty. I find the treatise sobering, challenging, and curious. This week, I’d like to focus on verses 4-7. Today, I’ll shine the spotlight on verse 4, which explains what LOVE IS.

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.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

What does patient and kind love look like? Oxford Online Dictionary definitions are helpful:

Patient [Love] - able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

Kind [Love] - having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

In a world that so often seems impatient and unkind, how can I love better? This is the

question I’m asking myself as I close this post. I’d love to hear any creative thoughts

you have. If the words of this prayer resonate, please pray with me:

God of Love,

Write the words of 1 Corinthian 13 indelibly on my soul.

Illuminate dark days with the light of Your love when I feel impatient and irritated.

Help me listen to the whisper of Your Spirit telling me how to love in a way that reflects

Your love for all humankind.

Thank you so much, God, for your patience and kindness in the process of learning

How to:

Love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength,

Love others well, and

Love myself accurately!

~Amen

Blessings on your journey!

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