February 13, 2009

• 1 Corinthians 13, Rachel version

  If i get the best education, 4.0 GPA, and have not love, i am worthless. If i run into a lot of money, or speak and have it donated, or work hard and give it–but have not love, i am nothing.

  if all the Brasilian children are fed and clothed and given a good education and make professions of faith, but i have not love, i gain nothing.

  if i write something that moves people to change, inspires them to grow and benefits those without a voice of their own, but have not love, i am just an irritation that will soon go away.

  Love keeps on. it is patient and waits. it is nice and just WANTS to be nice.Love does not want something you have and it doesn’t. it doesn’t think it should have been the one to have gotten it. it is not jealous, or reading into situations. It is not full of itself, too busy to listen to others.

  Love does not fish for compliments or put itself out there to be praised. it is not over-confident, thinking that it does not need help and has all the answers on its own. It does not forget what others have done to help it get to where it is at today. it is not proud or too busy to be kind and mannerly. It never tries to show-off. Love is meek, not insisting on its own way, but thinking of others. It does not get angry easily, it does not worry about things or try to control situations or people. It is not bitter, but forgives, and forgives completely, not keeping a list and bringing it back up the next time something happens.

  Love doesn’t make diry jokes, or gains from something that hurts someone else. Love always stands up for the one who cannot stand up for themselves. it stands up for what is right, and is happy when the right thing happens, even if it is hard on them.

  Love is in it for the long haul, not just the good times. it has made a commitment. it does not listen to gossip, and makes sure that the truth is found out. Love always hopes and will never stop hoping because it wants the best for them, no matter what personal sacrifice that requires. Love never dies.

  Love keeps on keeping on, no matter what you do to try to stop it. knowledge, college, learning, philosophy–even wisdom –will be used and then become useless.

  Our little brains just can’t get it all. it was never meant to be squished into that small of a space. so get over yourself, because you just aren’t going to know it all. ever.

  but don’t worry, because when Jesus comes, it won’t matter anyways. because it was never about you or me.

  i liked being a child. i wish i could still be one sometimes. sometimes i still think i am. but no, i am stuck in 26. at least to everyone around me. and i am finding out that it isn’t so bad. becoming an adult and taking responsibility for yourself is important. and then learning how to put yourself aside and serve others–that is even more important.

  i am trying hard, but i can only understand so little of what there is to know. And even what i understand is a struggle and it seems i am always having to relearn it. but when Jesus comes, i will be able to look at reality in the face and laugh and kiss it. I will have that big sigh of relief and peace when everything is reconciled. but even better, i will finally understand that i am known, and loved in spite, and because, of who i am.

  And so i believe God is who He says He is, and i live in expectation that all He says will happen will happen, and i love because He first loved me. but the most important part of this is…i love.

  • 10:45 am
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