1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never falls. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
So I am of the mind that if you can read this and not feel convicted in some way you haven’t spent much time for introspection lately. Man, sometimes I absolutely hate this passage. This is the passage that says you have to walk away sometimes when you don’t want to because that is how you can love a person where they are. And sometimes it means sticking it out with someone when you want to walk away, because that is how to love them. “Not easily angered,” wish that was the case for me, I think I spend a lot more time trying not to be pissed about little stuff then I spend just rejoicing in the big stuff God has given me. This last Friday I felt like I was gonna explode. I don’t know why but a lot of little stuff was bugging me. I had been upset about some of my roommates being disruptive during my small group, and I hadn’t been sleeping well. Then Friday some normal arguments / debates were going down at work and Rob was being a little more vehemently arrogant then normal (he was a little hung over and cranky to his credit….but he got his anyway later when he accidentally got Icy-hot on his nuts….karma) and it really rubbed me the wrong way. I knew I shouldn’t be upset because it wasn’t really out of the normal for us to be in this type of conversation and for Rob to insist he is right. Usually I just let it slide, and we walk away knowing that he hasn’t changed my mind and he didn’t listen to a word I said, and it is all good. But for some reason this was really eating at me. I sat in my 340 class and couldn’t even listen to instructor…I don’t think I took one note…I was sooo mad for such a stupid thing, but I still wanted to put my fist through something. So I talked to Seth about it, since he was involved in the conversation, and I mentioned that it was he had been a little disruptive during my small group (I figured it was an over-site on his part and not malicious, but it felt good to talk about it with someone) and told him that I had been in a rotten mood today for some unknown reason. So he suggested going skating and getting out, or taking a nap. So I decided to go skating. Let me say, that I am out of shape….it was very hard to get out to Florida Ave from Springfield ave. I stopped in the Japanese gardens for a couple hours and thought about things, and just tried to relax. I spent most the time looking at the flowers or reading my Bible. I read Genesis 45-50, all of 1 Peter, and the reading in Galatians for the daily devotional, which isn’t too bad for about an hour and half of reading and reflecting. I have to say, that while scripture poses challenges, such as loving your neighbor, that can seem frustratingly daunting at times it can also be very relaxing. I felt much much better, and had a really nice skate home. But since then, no revelation on how to love people better has occurred to me, I still am having a hard time letting the little stuff drop, and I still want to learn how to love people where they are. I think in this mixed up crazy fallen world we live in it is hard to meet everyone where they are, and come to them patiently and kindly. The only thing I really got going for me from this passage is that God has blessed me by changing my thinking over the last three years. I feel like I’ve moved to more adult thinking, and put some of the childish thinking behind me. Now this doesn’t mean much considering right after that Paul says that what we see now is a blurred vision that we see now is not as the perfect understanding we will have when we meet God. But still, it is good to know that looking back at college I can honestly say I’ve grown up a little. Well, I’m off to bed, hopefully I can figure out how God wants me to love everyone, not just the people that are easy to love. So this has been my prayer, and will be tonight….”forgive my unforgiveness, show me how to forgive, and then show me how to forget so that I may truly love as you did.
G’Night
Dirk says
I pray that you can see in people what God sees in them. For God sees all sides and knows the desires of their hearts. If you can see through God’s eyes it will be possible to love everyone.
Easier said than done, I know, but hopefully that gave you some inspiration at the least.
Janine says
My dear dear brother Ben. God is so good. He used you to get me back on my commandment issue of love!!
I want to encourage you. I’ve seen a lot of growth and patience in the very short time I’ve known you. You’ve gone out of your way to help Jason and I feel welcome and comfortable at Vineyard. You’ve befriended us even tho we kind of disappear at times. That takes patience *winks* and love – because I am sure there’s stuff that we’ve done that may have frustrated you. We are great at that! *grins*
Seriously, God is moving mightily in your life. Sometimes God does the “big miracles” – but often He allows us to walk things out so we can Truly walk in an anointing and understanding of things other people struggle with. Otherwise, it’s just words and thus powerless.
I think Dirk had a Great point.. If we all saw othes through God’s eyes we’d be convicted every single second of the day. I know, quite often, I may be venting to God about something I would call and injustice… and then I feel the Holy Spirit speak to me and help me to see that other persons perspective. I am almost ALWAYS humbled. I think all of us need to glean from Dirk’s advice.
Ok, venting time…
I think people can use the word “love” as an excuse to do things they Want to do – Or if they are frustrated or upset with something they can say “you aren’t showing me love.” Now mind you, God is gracious, merciful and love – but He also kicks our butt’s!! However, it is NOT everyones job to kick our butts for god no matter what they think the Bible says. Most times, I get the most out of the Holy Spirits conviction, a good message from a pastor – or someone I TRUST being gentle when they bring something to my attention. God sticks suck. period. *grin*
I love ya, bro. Meeting all of you has been a blessing. The fact that you are so desperately seeking God’s face for His answers shows that you do love.
big hugs,
Jae
Lauren says
I agree with Janine. Even though it really sucks, your struggle shows your heart is to love. I personally feel that when you get to that place and you’re trying your very best to do what you know God wants you to do, and you feel like you’re banging your head against a wall, the rest of getting through that wall is just having the faith that God will show you how and give you the strength to do it. I have found some peace in just waiting patiently for an answer, after you know you’re doing everything you know how to do for the situation. I know it’s a cold comfort, but I also know that you’re trying really hard and that that is pleasing to God. I am slightly biased, but I think you’re awesome.:)