Love Never Fails!
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… Love never fails.
—1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Some years ago while planning a memorial service, I asked the family members to tell me what they remembered about their mother. Without hesitation they all agreed that she had shown “unconditional love” throughout her life. She never planted a church or preached a sermon. She could not donate large sums of money to charities. She was never acknowledged for doing a special service project or mission work.
And yet she participated in God’s kingdom-building by show-ing the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. That kind of love, says Paul, is what really matters—because it is God’s love supplied by the Holy Spirit, whose coming we celebrate today on Pentecost (see Acts 2).
Perhaps you wonder how you could possibly be part of God’s building program here on earth. Perhaps you are confined to your bed or your wheelchair. Perhaps life’s demands keep you from taking part in ministry opportunities. Perhaps you lack the resources to share with others who are in need.
Paul answers those questions. We can be God’s instruments by displaying the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour God’s love into your heart so that you can show his love to the people around you. And when you do, others will see a glimpse of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Spirit of God, fill us with your love so that we can share it with the people around us. Make each of us a partner in building your kingdom here on earth. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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