How these things happen and what they eventually mean is way to much for my little brain, but here is what happened. I woke up this morning and the first thought in my mind was from 1 Corinthinans 13:13 ...Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.(The Message)
Trust Steadily in God: Steve's translation "hang in there with God". Keep believing what you know to be true. The knowledge or understanding of the truth will set you free.
Hope unswervingly: Steve's translation "What God has promised has no chance of failure". When the word says "God is not a man that He could lie" it means it is not in His nature or character to be anything but totally integrous.
Love extravagantly: Steve's translation "well this is a work in progress". I am not sure one ever knows all that this means because life changes, opportunities come, challenges arise, resources change. If the standard is "God so loved that He gave His son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" then I am struggling some with where I go with that.
Then here is the kicker. According to this chapter a lot of things are going to come and go but these three are going to remain. And the best of these three is love. Another translation says the "greatest of these is love". Just when I am feeling good about having some idea that I feel great about on faith and hope I find out there brother love is greater.
I have to think about these things. I don't know why I woke up with that passage in my mind, but I am pretty sure the enemy did not put it there. The challenge for me today and probably for an undetermined number of days is to investigate these thoughts and discover what the Counselor wants to reveal and do in my life and maybe someone else's.
God is so good.
I have faith in Him,
I have hope in Him,
I want to know what it means to love Him.
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Love extravagantly...extravagant means exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions. Going beyond what is deserved or justifiable: extravagant praise. Obsolete. wandering beyond bounds.
So many definitions for one word...it makes me think that to LOVE extravagantly means showing love in a way that the receiver can't even comprehend the "gift." They can't understand the sacrifice, they only know that they feel loved...that is the kind of love God gives...I can't even begin to understand giving up your only child, out of love...but it works- I FEEL loved by God...so, I guess, if I am to mimic THAT kind of extravagant love to my friends, family, strangers...I need to work to show them love that they cannot even understand...like loving despite disagreements, hurt, or no love given in return...when I can actively LOVE under these circumstances, I can say I have barely touched the tip of the iceberg, but...at least it is a start...it is easy to love someone who returns it with ease...that is great, but now...now, I have to show love in those difficult situations...
Who knows if all of that makes sense to anyone else, but...it clicks with me :0)
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