The Greatest Gift

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NKJV)

Love and transparency seem to collide a lot in my life. Even through hurt and pain caused directly and indirectly, God always brings me back to a place in my heart that I cannot reject others. The natural man wants to rise up, take control and fully put up a wall of steel to protect my heart and feelings.

I have learned many times that this will never go the way I planned. I can only block and withhold but for so long. Its just a matter of protecting a wounded heart the best way that works for me.

This is not how God would like for me to handle this.

I have known since I was child that I could not hold on to anger, hurt and pain forever, that I could never hate people but that I can dislike their actions.

We all have shortcomings. There is not one man on this earth without blemish. We are a work in progress if we want to succeed. Not just in this life as human beings, but as servants of the Lord.

There is a greater purpose to just being me, being a wife, a mother, daughter, sister and friend. I have been called by the Lord to be a light in a dark world, to be an example of his love that defeats everything else.

No matter the pain, the tears, rejection, answers that have not been supplied….. I have been given an assignment that I must fulfill. I can’t run away from it no matter how hard I try even if that is something that I truly wanted to do. It’s not what I want. It’s just a hard load to carry.

I can’t do it on my own.

I will always need the Lord to carry me because I have had some weary days and nights with a heart full of sorrow and heaviness dealing with various things. It’s not just about my life but that as well of others including you, dear reader. You’d think that I could not drop another tear over the last month or so, but I have.

There’s no boasting at all. It’s hard to be transparent if pride and ego were factors. I can be transparent because it’s a part of who I am. This is how God designed me. I have questioned Him at times why do I have to love others so much when it can hurt so bad.

These were my thoughts when I was younger. Now it’s just about being at His feet humbling my heart and asking for help to never stray away, to never deny love to those who cross my path, to abide in his love and strength always with wisdom to gain because I don’t want to be selfish. I want to be obedient to every thing asked of me.

If we know each other personally and you have not heard from me, I just needed a little time to gather myself. And for those who don’t know me, God has managed to draw me back to the familiar in his own way, lovingly nudging me along that everything will work out just fine.

This journey I walk as a disciple isn’t easy. God did not promise that all my days would be filled with roses and sunshine but he would be there for me when I call out to him.

Love above all else will keep me going. In Him my trust is placed to work out every good and perfect thing that aligns with his word.

Glory be to God for mercy and grace.

Scriptures to think on:

❤• Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:12-17
NKJV)

❤• Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them those who are mistreated since you yourselves are in the body also. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:1-3, 5 NKJV)

❤• Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31 NKJV)