Verse of the Day - 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV)

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Well, that's right, folks -- only two more days until the schmoochiest, googliest, most red-and-pink day of the year is upon us -- that's right, Valentine's Day. It's Saturday this year, so if this nod to all things romantic has caught you unaware, you are in luck! You still have two days to get that special something for that special someone. Of course, by now, the greeting card section of most stores is highly picked through, so don't be alarmed if you're forced to buy the only card left -- "To my Uncle and his beloved 4th wife on Valentine's Day". You can always put stickers over the parts that don't apply.... :-)

When we think of earthly love and the Bible, the "Love Chapter" comes to mind, doesn't it? That's 1 Corinthians 13. Paul, at length, gives us some great comparisons and examples of love, and brides and grooms through the ages have gravitated toward this passage in their wedding ceremonies. In the movie, "Wedding Crashers" (which I don't recommend, really, but I did watch part of it recently while flipping channels), two guys are masters of crashing weddings, down to analyzing family history, in order to fit in, be popular, and pick up women. With so many crashed weddings under their belt, some things seem like a given, as they sit through yet another loving ceremony...

Father O'Neil: And now for our next reading I'd like to ask the bride's sister Gloria up to the lectern.

John Beckwith: 20 bucks, First Corinthians.

Jeremy Grey: Double or nothing, Colossians 3:12.

Gloria Cleary: And now a reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians...

Some things you can almost count on, huh? (I know you're chuckling because you probably had 1 Corinthians 13 read at your wedding or know someone who did... :-)

But, let me have you put on a different set of glasses and read that familiar nuptial passage again. This time I want you to read this as it pertains to the Author of love, Jesus Christ, and His love for you, and for me...

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 record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Please don't be tempted to judge your, or other's, love by flowers, candy hearts, and nice dinners. Those are all well and good to honor our love for someone else, but the meat of it all is in the actions from a selfless heart of love. And Jesus is our model for that kind of love. He lived and breathed love while on this earth, and He breathed His last breath on the cross with love for us. And He continues to live and breathe out His love for us, as the Living God, guiding and comforting us by His Holy Spirit.

So, the next time you're at a wedding and hear that familiar passage about love, turn your thoughts toward Jesus and remember the example He gave us to follow. His love for us outshines all the Valentine's Day stuff that, in a couple of days will wilt, melt, or get stuck in a drawer. :-)

Love,
Joelene