Love is...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor 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.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I remembered I used these verses when I told someone I like to get into a relationship a long time ago.  Looking back, it was nothing but a fainting memory.  It no longer hurt as it was before.

It wasn't until recently that I realized Paul used this passage to describe the love among brothers and sisters in Christ in a church setting.

There are two ways to read this passage.  I can read this and critique others.

Oh someone doesn't very patient.  Clearly he is not lovable.  Why should I care about him?

Lately, I am trying to read it as an encouragement for my own actions and feelings. Especially those times when I am feeling not very lovingly....

I am losing my patience.  I am getting angry.  I don't want to keep going.  This is so hard.  Why should I have to love......I don't want to love. I am losing hope. This sucks.

Then I reflect on this passage....

Oh...though I don't feel like loving right now.  To love is to preserve.  Therefore, I can or learn to choose to be kind.  Choose to have patience.

There's a difference between aligning Scriptures to fit me instead of aligning myself to the Scriptures.  The former is self seeking.  The latter Glorifies God.