Photo in Garlogie Woods, late November 2023
Monday
1 Cor. 13.4a “Love is patient and kind.”
I doubt anyone could describe modern 21st Century life as one where people have patience with each other. In the checkout queue, behind a steering wheel, waiting for the cappuccino – the two most important words are ‘me’ and ‘now’. Likewise kindness is hardly the defining attribute of the abrasive, often self-assertive ways we go about life on the roads, in the shops, the office. And yet. Give thanks for those moments of kindness and patience we see others enact. Because what you are looking at is love in action. “Lord, if only we could be as patient and kind with others as you are with us.”
Tuesday
1 Cor. 13.4b. “Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Three things love cannot do, because they all describe a self-centred view of the world. Envy is me resenting what others have; boasting is me telling the world about me; pride is self-importance given a microphone. Love will always mean allowing the other person to be valued, praised, paid attention to, without feeling their joy and fulfilment diminishes us. “Lord, make us comfortable with the humility and generosity of genuine love.”
Wednesday
1 Cor. 13.5a. “Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking.”
Love does not disrespect others, does not dishonour or embarrass others. This is about more than good manners; it is a way of treating others as those loved by God, made in God’s image, and worthy of our time and attention. Love is not pleasing ourselves, just as Jesus ‘didn’t please himself.’ (Rom. 15.1-3). Instead, we look for ways to affirm, befriend, and encourage others. The Prodigal Son’s father is a good example of such love. “Lord, help us to be loving hosts of those we meet today.”
Thursday
1 Cor. 13.5b. “Love is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of rights and wrongs.”
Anger and love are not incompatible. But being habitually angry, or quick-tempered, or prone to that passive aggression that grits teeth and seethes inwardly – these do argue the absence of love. What’s more, the very things that make us angry, and we note down for later ammunition? Forget it! That’s what love does. Erase, tear up, score out, delete. Love isn’t in the business of keeping accounts and paying back. Lord, temper our temper with love, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
Friday
1 Cor. 13.6 “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.”
Gospel people never celebrate evil, from hurtful gossip to dishonesty in business, from political rhetoric that belittles the vulnerable, the poor, or those who are amongst the least, the lost and the last. William Barclay defined agape love as “indefatigable goodwill.” Love never tires of rejoicing in every victory of goodness, every forgiveness offered, and every act of kindness. “Lord, give us a love that has the courage to call out evil, and the energy to celebrate everything that is good and true.”
Saturday
1 Cor. 13.7 “Love always protects and always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
That word ‘always’ also mean ‘in all things’. Love doesn’t pick and choose. Love puts up with everything, or as one translation puts it, “there’s nothing love cannot face.” Before we think this is asking too much, this is an exact description of Calvary, the final and defining demonstration of a love that stops at nothing. For Jesus, there’s nothing love cannot face, even the cross. God’s love is for always, and confronts and deals with all things, even our sin. “Lord, so touch our hearts with your love, that our whole being is transformed, and we become conduits of the love of Christ crucified.”
Sunday
1 Cor. 13.7 “Love always protects and always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Love looks after the interests of others, protects. Love trusts the mercy and goodness of God to bring help, blessing and newness into each human life. Love hopes for the best for others, that against all the odds of a broken world, God is working out his purposes for good. Love perseveres, keeps going, doesn’t give up, looks to a future when love, truth and goodness triumph. “Love has won, death is dead, Christ has conquered.” “Lord, infuse our love with hope and trust, and enable us to persevere and not give up in our great calling to love as we have been loved by Christ.”
A Blessing
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, today, tomorrow and always, AMEN
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