Love is...
On Saturday, Marianne and I were guests at a friend’s daughter’s wedding. It was ‘picture perfect’ in many ways: the old church building in the village, the bride radiant in a gorgeous dress flanked by her bridesmaids, and a delicious wedding reception feast in an old converted barn! During the Marriage ceremony there was a reading from the book of 1 Corinthians...
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
A classic bit of Bible and perfect for a wedding, as the two young people vowed to live and love each other ‘until death us do part’. As I listened to the reading, I wondered how I ‘measured up’ to these iconic verses by replacing the word love with my name, i.e. personalizing the text. I have to admit that I didn’t do as well as I thought! These verses are very challenging for everyone, not just for those who are married. I was reminded of my weaknesses and my need for God and His grace to help me to live more like this passage in the Bible! Why don’t you try it and see how you do..?
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader