1 Corinthians 13- Love
This is one of those scripture passages that needs no introduction- and needs to be rediscovered again and again. To some it is so familiar it becomes a cliche. To others it is sweet, mushy romanticism. I've used it for weddings and funerals. It is so deep that we are afraid of going beyond the superficial. It is profound that words fail us. Read it first as you would read any similar writing. Then go back and read it slowly, word by word, letting them sink in and begin to re-form within you. Finally, read it one more time and apply it to those you don't like or who you may see as an enemy.

Go ahead. I'll wait......

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

It makes me laugh and rejoice and smile to the depths of my soul. It makes me cry because it is now how I live as often as I would like to. It makes my face turn red in guilt that I use the word so lightly. Unfortunately, English cannot capture the power and life-changing meaning of the words.

Love- the deepest power of the universe that gives of itself asking absolutely nothing in return. Not a tingly feeling in the toes or a light-headedness letting you know that this is THE RIGHT ONE.

Love. THIS love is truly the heart of God.