1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV®)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Friendships and relationships can get messy can’t they? We all have tendencies that don’t always mesh with each other. Things and personality tendencies that make us who we are, good or bad, that make it difficult for us to live together in harmony. It is easier to love when there’s no conflict, when we’re all on the same page. It is harder when we’ve been inconvenienced, ignored, hurt, misunderstood, or offended.
Maybe that’s why God put so many examples of what love is, and isn’t, in these verses. He knew we’d need help loving each other. He is the perfect example of love, but sometimes we need it spelled out, or at least I do. I need to remember to honor others even when they may not deserve it; to be patient and kind when someone doesn’t do exactly as I think they should or as quickly as I think they should; to not be angered so easily, to think about their side of things and trust that they are trying to be obedient just like I am; to overlook their shortcomings just as Christ overlooks mine; to forget past wrongs and not remind them or hold things over their heads; to be grateful for what The Lord may be doing in their lives even when I feel like I’m in a holding pattern. We put ourselves in the back seat and allow someone else to have priority. We allow someone else the luxury of messing up, of being wrong, or hindering our progress. We accept and love them for who they are. We think the best about them even when it is hard.
I have a lot to learn, but I think we get a chance to live out real love every day. I don’t always do it well. I want to do better. I want to love with these verses in mind. If God can somehow love me, then I can love you, and we can love each other. Gratefully, in these verses He told us how.