Love… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Wouldn’t it be nice if love were like a cafeteria line? The best part of Luby’s is that I get to choose what I don’t want to eat. What if you could look at the person with whom you live and select what you want and pass on what you don’t. Life with my kids would have been different. Yes on the good grades and nice manners, and yes on the chores. I would pass on the attitude and those clothes and some of those guys my daughter wanted to bring home. But more to the point. How about the spouse? Yes on a good mood and not on the honey due list. And you can think of the rest, and don’t forget the inlaws. But you know what? It wouldn’t be love. Love doesn’t accept just a few things. Love is willing to accept all things.
“Love…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”
When we love someone, we take the entire package. No picking and choosing. No large helpings of the good and passing on the bad. Love is a package deal.
Time out….what love are we talking about? Paul uses the AGAPE love….Agape love cares for others because God has cared for us. Agape love goes beyond sentiment and good wishes. Agape love forgives the mistake when the offense is high, offers patience when stress is abundant and extends kindness when kindness is rare. Why? Because God offered it to us first.
Did I mention, “Love…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Such love isn’t easy. But it is the Love that God has for us and he wants us to share with others.
Agape someone today like you have never loved them before and they will see Christ in you.