I thought I’d written about this topic in the past, but I couldn’t seem to find the post. Maybe I meant to, but never shared, or maybe I’d written about this passage of scripture but something else had been revealed at that time. I always say the Word is like an onion: it has layers and layers, and you could never uncover all that can be discovered, no matter how many times you read it; just like 1 Corinthians 13:12 says…Now we only see in part, but one day we’ll see it (and understand) it all.

1 Corinthians 13 is the Scripture most often read at weddings, so people tend to associate it with romantic love, but every time I read it, I’m reminded that that’s not what it was originally intended for.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, ESV

These are important words to remember, and shouldn’t be overlooked as simple wedding vows. As believers we have a responsibility to share the gospel with those around us, but if we can’t do so in love, it’s meaningless. If we can’t speak in gentleness, empathy, and compassion, nobody is going to want to listen to anything we have to say. We don’t have to agree with others to be pleasant and respectful; we don’t have to snap back at people when they say something rude or disrespectful towards us; and our giving shouldn’t be conditional.

Lastly, we could give all our time, energy, and finances to any cause(s) we deem worthy, but if we don’t love the people we’re serving, it’s meaningless.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4, ESV

I guess, especially in this season of giving, I just felt inclined to share that.