Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
True Love
According to the True Patriot Love Foundation, which supports military families in Canada, “There are 68,000 regular force military families are posted in Canada, with more than half under the age of 35 and half with children. Children from military families experience double the rate of mental health issues compared to children from civilian families. The service of those in the military is vital but it’s also physically and mentally taxing. The kind of focus and intensity that is needed in the field or on deployment can make home life, mental health and personal relationships complicated.
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The beautiful old song tells us that love is a many splendoured thing – it’s the April rose that only blooms in spring. Poets and singers have tried valiantly to describe love – at least human love. There is, arguably, no greater description of love than that found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” This is, at its centre, the love of God for us – agape. But it ought to also describe philios love, the love for one another, particularly within the family of God. Love is the ultimate fruit of the Holy Spirit, and out to be marked by all the other fruit – things like joy, peace, patience, gentleness. As you examine your own heart, how like Jesus’ love is yours for others? If it doesn’t line up well, ask the Holy Spirit to produce 1 Corinthians 13 love in you.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley