Love Never Fails
“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 NIV
A framed scripture of 1 Corinthians 13 was given as a gift to my husband and me for our wedding, and it lived on my bathroom wall for years. Now it’s in storage, and I look forward to digging it up when we move into the home we are building! Its a sweet reminder I need, and no better place than in a bathroom where we can give full attention and lots of time to reading and remembering scripture! Let’s read it again. The scripture says:
“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 NIV
We learn what love is in 1 Corinthians; how we will exude and show our love for others through these behaviors and responses. In John 15, Jesus commands us to love. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends“ John 15:12–13NIV. It must be important cause he repeats the command later in verse 17. “This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17 NIV.
As I reflect on what attributes we are taught in the word to describe love and that Jesus commands us to love, I am challenged, as I would imagine we all are, as I look at my own life. I look at the attributes and see the error of my ways. Today my prayer is that we all read what love is and walk out the command to love as Jesus taught us and commands of us. Since love never fails, my quest is to walk in love to the best of my ability, so that I may honor my Father by following His commands.
I leave you and me with a quest:
As you go about your day and week, how can you respond with love, especially in the holiday season? We are celebrating the life of Jesus our savior! So many people at this time of year are frantic to get all the shopping done, while others are having a hard time because a loss of some kind that has made the holiday season difficult for them. What are some practical ways to show love to those in our daily interactions? We never know what someone is going through, and they may just need some kindness to help raise their spirit,
Do you need to call a loved one?
Do you choose to pray for the person in line in front of you rather than be in a hurry and frustrated?
Do you need to quiet your soul and make a point to listen to those you love the most and be present and attentive?
I pray your day today is blessed and the beautiful season ahead is full of peace and goodness as you pursue love!
Join me in this prayer.
Help me Father to be patient, kind. Help me to not envy, not boast, and not be proud. Please help me to not dishonor others, not be self-seeking, or easily angered. Help me forgive and not keep a record of wrongs. Help me to not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. Help me to always protect, trust, hope, and persevere. Help me to remember in the hardest of times to respond with love because love never fails! Amen.
Illustrations by Haley Punjak
Edited by Rachel Harmening