How do you love?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud- 1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:4 always hits me with His power. Do I have love? Not always. Am I patient? Not always, but am better at that than years ago thanks to God and my lovely wife. Am I kind? I’d like to think more often than not.

Am I jealous? Rarely, if at all. Do I brag? I do about my alma mater, The University of Texas, \m/. I also brag and boast of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as scripture says. Am I arrogant? Seldom, because I don’t know what the day holds, but I know who holds the day.

The previous three verses are what reminds me most, for it shows the results of the lack of love:

1 Corinthians 13: 1, 2, and 3,
…but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
…but do not have love, I am nothing.
…but do not have love, it does me no good.

These verses remind me of the cost of not having His love to me (in scripture) in me (internalizing scripture), and through me (to my sphere of influence). They require me to be deliberate and intentional with His love, seeking it, learning it, knowing  about it, and repeating it to others just as He did.

It also reminds me of the invisibility of this power. It is not seen, but they each can result in tangible acts from love. The patience, kindness, lack of jealousy, arrogance and pride reveal who a person really is when being obedient to God, His commands, His Son, and His examples, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Love is all those things and when I emulate them like Christ Jesus did, I will not be heard as just noise, rather I will be something, and can do good for others. Talk about having a purpose! I encourage you to commit to memory 1 Corinthians 4, and understand the power this passage provides, especially in light of the three verses that precede it. 

4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.

For additional details or questions, or if you’d like to schedule a complimentary coaching session on how you can develop and practice the right kind of love, to lead a more balanced, fulfilled and happier life, please email us at coach@maximizeu.life. Thanks