I tremendously appreciated the day cars got keyless entry… It felt like a groundbreaking day. Now Kelly, with five grocery bags in hand, didn’t have to do weight-bearing gymnastics to somehow dig her keys out of her bag to get the door to the car unlocked. Nor did she have to set everything down and spend 5 minutes finding what she was looking for to get in the car. Now, thanks to keyless entry, doors unlock at my arrival! Victory!
There is something else that unlocks things: love.
I am continually mesmerized and provoked by this verse: “Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:8)
If a person goes off on me on the highway, sticking their middle finger up at me, and I choose love? This love will not fail.
If someone misunderstands me and I am patient and kind anyway, choosing love… this love will not fail.
If a colleague accuses me of something I did not do, and I respond patiently… this will not fail.
If I have something that I think must be said, but out of kindness, I take the right moment to release the words, this love will not fail.
Love cannot fail. What I do out of love… will. not. fail.
Scripture doesn’t say love will not fail, only to then see it fail. “God is not a man, that He should lie…” (Nu. 23:19)
We may not see the result immediately. We may not know how our love touches a person profoundly. We may not behold it working in a way that is earthly, but all the same, small choices will have a big impact spiritually, relationally, practically, or eternally.
Love will not fail. Your love won’t fail. My love won’t fail.
With this, I wonder, where are you being called to love more (even on a very granular level)?
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Embarrassing truth? I am not a great listener. Rather, I am more of an orchestrator of comeback thoughts in my mind. I do this because I fear I may forget my point, so sometimes I interrupt people. This form of impatience hinders love that is patient. For me to love in a greater capacity? God is calling me to lay down my good ideas, strong comebacks, key points, and sage wisdom to really listen and to hear people. To give them and their stories center stage. Then, I can really hear.
All this makes sense, for in a world that is moving 10,000 miles per hour, with people talking at us from every which direction, perhaps what people really need is to be heard more than to have someone tell them things. In this, I can trust that this patient love will not fail. In fact, it will succeed. In humility, I will love others as I listen. Patience will complete its perfect work (Ja. 1:4).
I then can come to the table with expectancy, as I ask, “How will this love succeed?” Maybe even God will let me see.
Patience listens. That’s what I am compelled to work on, but what about you? Where might Holy Spirit be nudging or tugging you to do something new? What would it look like for you to practice? How can you attach faith or expectancy to this new action? How can you encourage yourself that this love will never fail?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You love me. Thank You that You sent Your Son to die, in love, for me. I am so grateful. Help me to be love, as You are love. Show me how to love more. Help me to trust You with me as I lay down my life in love and for love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.
