1 Corinthians 13

1 Cor 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I settled down by a lovely mountain waterfall to have lunch and read my pocket Bible. "Where shall I read?" The impression I got was to go to 1 Cor 13, the agape love chapter. I protested,

"I've read this a blue bazillion times. I've memorized and forgotten it dozens of times. How is it going to be different this time? Whenever new situations come up, my first response is either to defend myself or to see how I can fix the problem. How can I make love the first and most natural response of my heart to each new situation?"

As I slowly re-read the familiar chapter, I marveled at the endless flow of water cascading over the rocks. The Lord showed me that this is how endless His love for me is - and for you too. He generously pours His love upon each of us beginning at the moment of our conception. Although we may not be aware of it, the abundant flow of His love is not diminished over the course of our lives. But at some point we must respond to His love and become His child. Those who fail to respond are without excuse. At this point I came back to my original question.

"How am I to make 1 Cor 13 a reality in my life?"

You must feel my love for you as continually as you feel each breath you take. You must feel it in the sunshine I place on your face, the sigh of the wind in the forest, the song of the birds, the laughter of your children, the embrace of your wife, special friends I have placed in your life, the bounce of your step upon the trail, all the seemingly little things. Remember that in and of yourself, you have no store of love to pass on to others. There is only My love. To love others, be continually in tune with My ever-flowing love for you.