08-22-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 22, 2021
Guest Writer: Rev. Mariah Newell
Scripture:1 Corinthians 13:4-8: 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

Thoughts for the Day: One of the simple truths of my faith that comes to mind when I read this passage is something I learned from a Sunday School teacher years ago as a High Schooler. She said, “When you find someone you think you love put their name in the place of ‘love’ in the Scripture and see if the words still sound true. Then, read your own name in the place of ‘love’ and see if you feel confident you are reflecting those words to the person you love.” I’ve held that with me throughout the years. I remember reading Evan’s name in the place of “love” and mine before we first said “I love you” to one another. I’m happy to say I believe Evan and I live up to this on most days…but, of course not all. We’re new to this married reality, but one thing I’ve learned so far and that this Scripture reminds me of is that love has never been about agreeing. Being married, I realize love is, most importantly, remembering that no matter what, you’re on the same team.

Even though we read this Scripture often at weddings and when talking about couples (as I just did), Paul was speaking to a church about their love for one another as a community. Paul often speaks of the church in terms of marriage. In the past year, I think about my relationship to you all so differently. We’re in a marriage of sorts with one another, but also with our God. We may not always agree, but we’ve chosen to be on the same team. Our team has chosen to ‘put love first in all things.’ I can cheerlead for that. I can hang in with moments of discomfort and disagreement for that. I’ve chosen you and you’ve chosen me and Love has and will continue to bond us together.

Prayer:
God who is Love,
Give us all we need to embody love to one another as it is so beautifully described in Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. We saw this love modeled in Jesus Christ and now, as the Church, we strive to live this example of love with one another. Be ever present in reminding us, we’re on the same team.
It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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