I've read these verses hundreds of times at weddings. It's a natural place to talk about love and relationships. But recently God lead me to use this passage at quite an unusual place. In fact, I've never read it in this setting before. It had never occurred to me to even be appropriate. But just a few days ago, I cracked open the pages of my Bible to read these verses at a memorial service for a lady who had dedicated her whole life to loving her husband, son, daughter-in-law, sister, family, friends, and neighbors. The words jumped off the page illuminating her life.
I'd never considered that these be words that would read over me at my passing. I've always thought it'd be things like, "He ran his race, he finished his course, he fought his good fight, he kept the faith," kind of stuff. Or maybe a little Joshua and Caleb, seize the day. Or possibly, "He fulfilled his purpose in his generation."
The more I think about it, it makes me really wonder what someone would say about me. I wonder if anyone would even think about this scripture on love to describe my life. Could they say my life was all about love. Would patience and and kindness be used in my eulogy? Would people say things like, "he wasn't rude or boastful or proud or jealous or envious or selfish?" Would they picture me as void of anger and grudges? Could it be said I was an encourager and protector and always optimistic about people? That I didn't give up on people and was always there?
The question really is, "Would love describe my life?" When I look at Jesus, His love is the first thing I see. If I want to be like Jesus, then I need God's Spirit to develop my love quotient, because as I reflect upon my own character and behavior, love as the Apostle Paul describes here is severely lacking in my life.
God, there's a lot of things I'd like to be remembered for in my life. However, I confess to you, being a model of your love as depicted by Paul hasn't been one of those priority goals. When I look at you, Lord, love is your predominant characteristic. I've memorized as a child that you loved the world so much that you sent your one and only son to restore our broken relationship. I do want to be like Jesus. God, help me exude your love to others. I want people to simply say I loved you with all my being and l loved others.
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