The Weekly Devotion for the Week of July 15
Jesus exemplifies perfect, true love and we have the blessing of receiving this love.
The verse opens with, “Love is patient.” Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. In our fast-paced world, patience is often in short supply. Yet, God calls us to be patient with one another.
This means giving others the time they need to grow, to change, and to heal. It means waiting without frustration and responding with grace when things don’t go as we planned.
Despite our mistakes and failures, God continues to love us unconditionally. In the same way, we are called to show patience to those around us, understanding that everyone is on their own journey and that growth takes time.
Paul then says, “love is kind.” When we are kind, we reflect the love of Christ to those around us. This can be seen in small acts of kindness, such as a smile or a word of encouragement. Kindness has the power to transform lives and build bridges of understanding and peace.
“It does not envy.” Envy can poison relationships and destroy communities. Love, on the other hand, rejoices in the success and blessings of others. When we love genuinely, we celebrate the achievements and good fortunes of others.
The verse ends with, “it does not boast, it is not proud.” True love is humble. It does not seek to elevate itself above others. It is not concerned with self-promotion or self-glorification. Instead, it seeks to uplift and honor others.
As we strive to embody these qualities in our relationships, we draw closer to the ideal of Christ-like love.