1Corinthians 13:4-7
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.
If I am truly loving God’s creation, all of it, there is no room for envy. I suppose that when I do feel envious or jealous of someone or something, it is a strong signal that I need to stop and take a closer look. If there is something or someone in the dynamic that I admire, I can lean into that. If there is positive behavior to admire and support, I should do so. If there is something I can do a better job of, to bring me closer to being or having that good thing which I “envy”, I should consider that.
Holy Lord, help me to see my envy as a red flag for my own shortcomings. Help me to see when and what I can do better. Amen
Becky, transforming
Beebleberry pic by Kay
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
This is such important scripture. Keeping these tenants forefront should be a spring board that guides us in all we do. We need to always seek to lift others up whenever the opportunity arises. Our love for others and the expression of this love is so very, very important and a cornerstone in our Christian lives.
Dear Father, help me to make love a daily priority and help me to help others in anyway I can no matter how minor those things may be. Help me make the things I do an expression of love and not actions for my own gratification. Amen
1Corinthians 13:4-7
While true love should not be envious or jealous, I think there is some level of envy in all of us. For example, I often envy people with skills that I wish I had. For example, I envy Becky's skill at the piano. I would love to have that skill. I tried to learn, but waited too long and at 50 years old and being a poor math student, I could never get the timing right. Still, I wish. . .
Maybe, just maybe there are people who might envy some skill I have. Although this kind of envy/jealously is different than Paul's example, I think it is more prevalent.
prayer: Gracious God, Rather than envy, my feeling…
Thursday, November 7th, 2024
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Paul’s words about love are so familiar to most of us. Each time I read it and consider every word it is so empowering. As a child I was not exposed to this kind of love. In fact I taught myself to be suspicious of everyone and trust no one. It took me a while to overcome suspicions.…
1Corinthians 13:4-7
There is clearly no room whatsoever for jealousy in Christian love as described by Paul. Every element he identifies; envy, boasting, pride, dishonoring, self-seeking, anger, grudge-bearing and delighting in evil are at the very heart of jealousy and represent the antithesis of love. Jealousy, with all this heavy baggage, weighs us down, pulls us away from God and snuffs out all the joy that sustains us in a fallen world. Why make life more difficult by being jealous of what others have instead of loving them and sharing in their blessings and joy?
Prayer - God of love, help me to love as Paul describes love. Remove all semblance of jealousy from me. Make me patient, kind, rejoicing…