Terry's Devotion:
June 1 - How to Love
1 Corinthians 13: 1-8 "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 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 in the
truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love
never fails."
I Corinthians 13 is not a passage to be used only during wedding ceremonies
and in anniversary cards. It is the instruction of how we are to love
everyone.
The love I have for the people of Guatemala and different people groups
around the world is not something that I will ever be able to explain to anyone.
It is a super natural love and one that can only be understood by another that
has that same kind of love for the nations. It is not perfect, but the Lord has
broken my heart for what breaks His and has filled it to overflowing with
compassion for those He sends me to. When they hurt, I hurt. When they suffer, I
suffer. Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who
mourn." That is how I live my life. I feel it deeply...physically, emotionally,
spiritually...and it is never ending. I do nothing FOR the people of Guatemala.
Whatever we do, we do it WITH them. Because we are not there to feel sorry for
anyone or make ourselves look like we are saviors. We are there to love. And so
it is anywhere else I serve.
I say all of that to say this: I do not know your heart. I do not know what
your passion is. I do not know exactly why you are taking this trip. It could be
that you already love with this super natural kind of love and you are compelled
to go or it could be that you *think* you love others as you love yourself, but
you may soon find out that is not the case. Whatever the reason, I stand for the
people of Guatemala when I say this: Love. Love with all that you have. Be
patient and kind, not rude or self-seeking. Do not be easily angered and keep no
record of their wrongs. Love with an unfailing love. If we do not love like
this, we are nothing.
Lord, you are the best example of love. Give each of us a super natural love for the people of Guatemala, a love that only you can fill us with. May it flow out of us easily and without hesitation, just as it flows from you. Let our lives be the proof that you are real, that you are here and that you are all you say you are.
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