I took a new look at God's love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, this morning. To love other people the way God does, it may be good idea to follow His description of love and make some commitments:
Love never gives up . . . How about committing to be patient?
Love cares more for others than for self . . . How about committing to be kind?
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have . . . How about committing not to be jealous or envious?
Love doesn't strut . . . How about committing to esteem others above ourselves?
Doesn't have a swelled head . . . How about committing to lay down our pride?
Doesn't force itself on others . . . How about committing not to be rude?
Isn't always "me first" . . . How about committing not to be self-seeking?
Doesn't fly off the handle . . . How about committing to deal with our anger in healthy ways?
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others . . . How about committing not to keep a record of wrongs?
Doesn't revel when others grovel . . . How about committing to take captive our evil thoughts and turn them over to Jesus?
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth . . . How about committing to seek the truth?
Puts up with anything . . . How about committing to the sanctity of life?
Trusts God always . . . How about committing to remain surrendered to God?
Always looks for the best . . . How about committing to focus on the positive?
Never looks back, but keeps going to the end . . . Because God's love never fails, how about committing not to fail others, but when we do, rely on God's grace and mercy to cover a multitude of sins?
Dear Jesus,
We love because you first loved us. We are asking you to strengthen us by your Holy Spirit-not a brute strength-but a glorious inner strength that You will live in us as we open the door and invite you in. And we ask You that with our feet planted firmly on Your love will be able to take in with all of Your followers the extravagant dimensions of Your great love. Help us to reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives in the fullness of God and love others the way you love us. Your love changes people. In your precious name we pray. Amen.
*photo courtesy of christianphotos.net
