Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
On Thursday afternoons, I lead a Bible Study at Yucca Lodge, a treatment facility for drug and alcohol abuse in Grant County, New Mexico. I often use the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians as our text. After reading Paul’s description of what love is and does, most clients at Yucca Lodge react by talking about how often they’ve not lived up to these ideals.
Just this week, Ellen talked about how sorry she was for the unkind and impatient ways she treated her children when she was high. Raul talked about rejoicing in wrongdoing when he was able to exact revenge on someone else. And Julia told about selfishly taking advantage of her grandparents, stealing from them to buy drugs.
However, at some point in the meeting, someone will remember that the Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:16). This inevitably changes the conversation, because if God is love, then that means God is patient and kind. It means God keeps no record of wrongs. It means God hopes all things, and believes all things.
We begin to talk about God’s patience and kindness toward us. God’s forgiveness for us. And, most exciting of all, God’s hopes for us. Whatever we’ve done in the past, God believes in us and in our potential for the future.
Instead of talking about how they’ve failed to live up to the ideals of love in the past, the clients begin to talk about how they plan to live up to them in the future with the help of a loving God who has hopes and dreams for them.
Thought for the day: God is love. That means God has high hopes for you, and isn’t interested in your failings. Love believes all things and hopes all things. God can’t wait to see you succeed!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.