Excellence of love part 2

I’m really thankful for the phrase ‘margin of error’ as it proves to be one of life’s benchmarks and because it matters a lot when I screw things up royally.

When was the last time you remember getting some extra grace? A favor when you least expected it? Or perhaps a teacher’s leniency on a final exam? I recently had a late fee waived on a bill that was overdue and I cried when the person on the other end of the phone refunded my money. I honestly don’t know if it was the actual dollar amount or the act of favor itself that warmed my heart so much.

Impatient, unkind, jealous? If we are being totally honest with ourself, Any red blooded human can admit this describes all of us at any given time in our walks of life.

So where is love in these things? Apparently it’s not.

That’s a tough one to wrap my head around because these attributes are what makes the world a better place. That’s why I am so thankful for grace.

God‘s grace.

And mercy. His mercy.

My favorite part of this great story is when a perfect man died a very imperfect death. It was called a Crucifixion.

I am in constant need of being reminded how much I need his help to show me how to love without being jealous or unkind. It’s quite impossible in my own strength, Of that I am certain.

Not striving, but growing. Always learning from the mistakes that have been made. Being less willing to just ‘let it go’ and more willing to examine my heart.

Always asking the question: Is there room for growth and am I teachable? That’s the only way I can truly make sense of this verse about perfect love.

V.4 Love is patient. Love is kind and is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not arrogant.

Love in itself is profound, but the concept of perfect love is beyond human consideration.

To comprehend the option that perfect love even exists is precisely why I need His strength to find it.

I am not all of these things. But if we are willing, and we have the desire to grow and to want to change to become more of the person we want to be, then rest assured the Holy Spirit promises us that all things are possible through Christ who gives us strength.

So then, How do we show love?