Thanks to You, My Loving Lord, for You have blessed me with many gifts and shown me a better way. My gifts were given to aid me in serving You and enhancing the spiritual growth of Your body. To enhance my walk, You’ve given me faith, hope and love … the greatest of these being love. You’ve shown me that if I possess all things, but do not possess love, I gain nothing. It is Your love that enables my actions and gifts to be useful. Unlike human love which seeks to serve self, Your love is directed outward toward others … it is utterly unselfish. It goes against my natural inclinations and can only be practiced with Your help by setting aside my desires and instincts. Your love gives … expecting nothing in return. Therefore, the more I become like You, the more love I will have to give to others in Your name. In Your love, I am made perfect and complete.
If I look for traces of Your love in my life, what would I look for? First, it would show up in patience where I am able to tolerate injustices done to me and wait patiently while others catch up. It would be kind and gentle in dealing with others and expects nothing in return. It would not seek to please itself and, instead, would be devoid of pride focused on what I’ve achieved or possess. Your love never treats others rudely nor diminishes their standing. It does not seek to benefit me, but to enhance the lives of others. Your love helps me resist becoming angry when my feelings get hurt or I’m not being understood. It remembers no wrong done and, instead, strives for peace with all. Your love does not rejoice when someone gets hurt or undergoes misfortune. It rejoices in the freedom given to others when they are exposed to Your truth. It yearns to protect others, promote hope for the future and develop perseverance in hard times without complaining.
A wonderful aspect of Your love is that it does not fail. It has the power to win over the lost … overcome insurmountable odds … generate a hope that helps me persevere … and, buoys me when I feel like I’m going under. Love allows me to speak gently when providing insight, warning, correction and encouragement. Your love strengthens me and helps me in developing into a mature Christian. In love, I am able to reflect Your qualities and live in peace with all men. As I grow more like You, I am able to comprehend Your teachings and admonitions because they are rooted in love. As love expands in my heart, I no longer need the world to glean my value or direction. As each day goes by, I become more convinced that Your love is truly the greatest of all gifts. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
I Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
God is love, our Divine example to emulate.