Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, October 3, 2016
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7, NLT).
Utopia?
What kind of world would we enjoy if we all recognized, appreciated, and fully embraced the love principle? What if we were all patient and kind? What if none of us cherished envy or pride? Can you imagine? What if none of us were irritable or demanding? What if there was justice everywhere? What if equity always won? Utopia? What if truth and love were the overarching principles of all human interactions? Would rape statistics exist? Would mommy suffer in silence as the children try to figure out why daddy’s clinching his fists, and there is so much yelling? Would social workers, Child Protective Services, and other child advocacy groups have such impossible caseloads? Unfortunately far too many of us give up, lose hope, lose faith, and lose endurance.
Aren’t you glad this is not the end of the story? Aren’t you glad that there is indeed hope in desperate times? You have, no doubt encountered people who have overcome evil in the worst of times, although it stalks their every footstep. The difference is that they have learned to surrender their lives to the God of love, and opened their hearts to receive His guidance. He has put joy in their hearts while they go through trials. He has given peace when all around them seems to be falling apart. He has been a shelter in their times of storm. He is a kind and compassionate Friend.
Learn compassion. Respect freedom. Relish love.
