All or Nothing

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
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. Love never fails.

I've heard these verses so many times; at weddings, around Valentine's Day, and in sermons. And at times I separated out the parts of the whole as if they could stand alone. But, for love to never fail, I must cultivate all parts of God's love in my heart, then plant the seeds in others. To truly love my husband, children, parents, siblings, and friends, I want to help them become the person God created them to be. In other words, I want to put them above myself, encourage their talents, and give them opportunity. That's the opposite of what often happens in the world.

So if I love someone, it's all or nothing. Patience and kindness don't work without hope and trust. Rejoicing in truth is way better than being envious and boastful. No one knows this better than Jesus. He loved me so much He gave his all. He came to live on earth knowing He'd die with the burdens of many. Through no fault of His, he carried my sin to the cross. Just as God promised, His love never fails.