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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Whenever I'm annoyed with my sister my mom reminds me of this verse. I've heard it so many times over the years as soon as someone says "love is" I can finish the verse for them without thinking about it, and sadly I think I may even take this verse a little lightly...
Sure, I get it. It's a picture of what love is supposed to look like. It goes arm in arm with Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 But I think it has become like the song you sing in church- over and over. Until its just words coming out of your mouth with no meaning or thought.
It tells us what love is supposed to look like, but do we apply it to our everyday lives? For a minute remove the word 'love' and insert your name.
- Am I patient with friends, strangers and my family?
- Do I boast?
- Am I arrogant?
- Am I kind?
- Do I keep a record of the things people have done that hurt me?
- Am I jealous?
- Do I put others down to elevate myself?
- Am I self-seeking?
- Do I delight in other people's misfortune?
- Do I rejoice in the truth?
- Do I always protect?
- Do I always trust?
- Do I always hope?
- Do I always persevere?
- When other people hurt me, does my love for them fail?
