The other day I got a tweet that referenced one of my very favorite verses from the bible. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It wasn't exactly a pleasant reference, or one that I agree with at all. But it did make me think about why I loved it so much when there are those who so obviously disagree with what has become part of my unofficial mantra of life.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I have two completely different loves of this passage; one secular and one sacred. I love Christ and I'm becoming a much stronger Christian. I am learning more about what it means to know Him and this passage defines the epitome of what Jesus wanted us to learn; what is love and what we should be more like. We should be more like love, which to me is a synonym of Christ.
But the secular side that is ever present in my life is also in love with this passage. I've had some hard days this month and I am eager to see April come to wash over me a sense of newness, growth and energy. And yet, even the hardest of days can't seem so bad when I think about what love is. This passage does not talk about a lover, who can be both unkind and envious, boastful and proud. It does not talk about sex or affection which can be self-seeking. This passage does not mention heartbreak which can induce anger or the delighting of evil. This passage simply references LOVE. How beautiful is it that we can understand what love really is, without having to worry about what those who abuse the power of it can accomplish? The act of loving or being loved may be difficult and the concept of love itself my become overwhelming, making us incapable of defining it on our own. But love by this simple definition sheds light on what some might thing is a mean, snarling and dangerous emotion. Love is not a bad thing; those who misuse it and fail to appreciate it are where there is fault.
It may be argued that the bible was created under false pretenses, that it was simply a book of words used to make people feel better about why they are here. To those I must say, so what? If that is what you say, does it make the words written any less important? I don't think so. For me the bible is much more than words on paper, but I can appreciate the text in ways that differentiate between spiritual, secular and just plain thought provoking.
Sometimes Lukas will read my blog and think that it was either about him or inspired by him and I always laugh and say that if it WERE about him or if it had anything to DO with him I would simply say so. My dear best friend, cease to wonder. This blog post IS inspired by your own words but is not in any way directed towards you. You should quite honestly be flattered that the words you say hit me hard enough to cause contemplation that leads to written word. Kudos. :)
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