Listen

Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. We know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Think

My family loves watching home renovation shows on HGTV. In 30 minutes, we watch a couple purchase a house, a new design be proposed, and the 8-week project be completed. This all comes to a climax at the reveal of the finished project. In fairness, part of why we watch is that the gifts of the stars for home renovation far exceed ours. We see parts of the process, but we lack the skills, gifts, and visions to see a project like this to completion on our own.

Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God, describing it as already here, but yet not fully realized. This passage says that some of our gifts partially reveal the Kingdom and God’s love for the world, which is really cool. The best we offer is a partial glimpse, though, which will one day be replaced by God’s perfect love. Until then, our call is to be God’s agents of love to the world, using our collective gifts for a project, working towards completion. It isn’t as neat and clean as HGTV, but it certainly is more valuable.

Brian Foreman

Pray

For a love the never ends, I give thanks. For the invitation to participate as a disciple, I am humbled and challenged. Show me your ways, O God, that others might catch a glimpse of your Kingdom through me. Amen.

Go

You are God’s.

You are loved.

You are known.

Let God’s love speak to you.

Let God’s love be known through you.

Amen.