We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Ryan Grinnell.
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 13:2
“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.“
Word:
I remember being a part of a gym where the head coach was such a motivator and inspirational leader. 5 am or 5 pm, he was always ready to bring the energy and passion. He knew how to get the class warmed up properly, tackled the strength portion head on and then transitioned to the WOD flawlessly. This guy was great at correcting form and technique. With just a few minutes of observation he could weed through the bad and find the issue. The members loved him. The problem was, he didn’t love himself.
1 Corinthians 13 is considered by most to be the “Love” chapter of the Bible. It’s read at nearly every wedding. Most of us can quote a line or two from it when our spouse is being a little “unlovable,” or vice versa. The problem is, Paul wasn’t speaking to this type of emotional love. He was speaking to the deeper love that God showed us by giving His Son to this world so that we would be reconciled back to Him. Allowing Him to suffer and die on a cross, blameless and sinless, so we would have the chance to be forgiven.
The real love of a Savior who knows his children may reject Him, but chose to offer Himself anyways. Paul is confronting the heart level love that will always show through in our actions. It’s the selfless love that doesn’t think about ourselves; it considers others. It’s the love that points people to Christ through what we do and say no matter what the circumstances are. It’s the force that holds us together through every storm.
Remember that coach who didn’t love himself? It was me. All the “love” I showed my members in coaching, motivating, correcting, or leading was exhausting, while I tried to hide the fact that I had become so burned out and exhausted, that I turned to other things that almost ruined my business, marriage, and relationships with everyone. I was empty.
Then I got a firsthand experience of God’s true love. He picked me up, washed me off, and helped me see where I needed Him. And I accepted His love. From that moment, I decided to use my skills and abilities to accomplish what He created me to do, rather than lean on my own strength. The difference is now, Christ’s love is in me, and it pours out from me. And He is there to always refresh, refill, and restore my heart. He hasn’t disappointed yet. And He never will.
Prayer:
Father, show us areas in our lives that are empty of love. The type of love You show us every day. Open our eyes to see those parts where we need to surrender our strength and be swept up in Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Skillwork:
Pick one area in your life where you know you need God’s help to love the way He loves. What is it? When you begin to recognize it, ask Him to show you how He loves you so that you can love others that same way.
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