But the Greatest of these is Love! Feb. 2017
This week, on the 14th, my scripture reading was a familiar passage: 1 Corinthians 13. It has made me reflective:
“1 If I speak in the tongues[ of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. “
How many times when I speak do I sound like a gong? How many times do I add to the already clanging noise of this world? “Lord, help me to speak with a voice like an angel. More of you Lord Jesus, less of me.”
“2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
I don’t have the gift of prophecy. I do seek knowledge. And I have great faith in my mighty God but do I express enough love?
“ 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[ but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
My husband and I, as missionaries living in Honduras, are giving much to the poor. We have separated ourselves from our families and our country and some days, it feels like hardship. But each day the children for whom we care fill us with love.
“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Patience and kindness are gifts that I do not have inherently in my personality but with the help of the Holy Sprit, I can yield my fleshly self to His control. This part of the scripture has spoken to me in a new way as I watch my husband of 22 years decline with dementia. I must be more patient and kind, protecting, keeping no records of things he forgets but persevering to maintain his dignity and sense of worth and value.
“8 Love never fails….”
“13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
I thank God for calling someone so ill equipped to be a missionary to orphan, neglected and abused children in Honduras. There is so much I do not know: the language; the culture; how to oversee a construction team; manage the caregivers; raise sufficient funds; tackle the government bureaucracy; and more.
God has however given me a deep faith in His ability; a hope for the future of Tranquilidad and an abiding love for these children and those to come. To Him be all the glory! Amen.
Roxanne