"Nothing says love like a
sizzling steak!" Hmmmm, I suppose there are different opinions about how
one defines or expresses love. I can't say, however, that the email promotion I
recently received from a local restaurant that included the aforementioned
quote, is an expression of love I have ever heard before. While my valentine
enjoys a good steak, I'm not sure that its sizzle communicates love to
her.
What quality or characteristic of your life communicates love? Perhaps
it's your generosity...maybe your kindness, or for some of you, your attention
to detail or your thoughtfulness. There is probably no single characteristic
that communicates love, but most likely it is a combination of several things.
The unique characteristics of your life are what make you who you are and are to
be celebrated, particularly with those you love.
The New Century Version translates I Corinthians 13:4-8a in the following
way; "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and
it is not proud. Love is not rude,
is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up
wrongs that have been done. Love takes
no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love
patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always
endures. Love never ends. Perhaps on this
Valentine's Day, a good steak might be appreciated, but over the course of
meaningful relationship, patience, kindness, humility, truth, trust, hope,
and endurance are qualities of love that serve us much better as we seek to be
who the Holy One created us to be.
February 14 is a day that calls us to reflect
on love. The apostle Paul's words from his letter to the Corinthian church
compel us to focus on the greatest qualities of love, qualities that challenge
us to walk in a different way...the way of Christ. Take a few moments and read
those words again and again. Ponder their significance and consider how well
they are expressed by you. Valentine's Day might be a great day to commit
yourself anew to reflect these qualities in the relationships you share. My
guess is that those you love will remember what they see and know of these
qualities in your life much more than anything else you provide, even a sizzling
steak!
Dr. Michael Catlett will be preaching in my
absence Sunday morning. Cindy and I are spending a few days with Clayton in
Lexington. Dr. Catlett is a great friend to Westwood, having preached, led
retreats, and taught seminars for us over the years. Be present to hear him and
I know you will be blessed. Our week of hypothermia care is coming to a close.
Martha Lee, Lucinda, and Ed have led us wonderfully once again. Continue to
pray for our guests, leaders, and volunteers in these last hours of this vital
Westwood ministry.
Happy Valentines Day!
Jim Abernathy
No comments:
Post a Comment