Love Does Not Demand

I Corinthians 13:5 continues to tell what love is and what it is not. Now we learn, love does not demand its own way. Now, that's a new thought. We don't demand love. We give love. We don't expect love. As C.S. Lewis reminded us, we are surprised by love. It shows up in unexpected ways, and through unexpected means. When you start to demand, or even expect something, remember love is a gift by another that we cannot demand. But, if we love, we won't need to demand it, it will come, freely. Freely as you have been given, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

Galatians 5:13 - You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Love is Not Rude

How does it feel to be around rude people? Not good. Who wants to be around them? I run from them. Well, love has nothing to do with rudeness. Rudeness is again about one's self. Rudeness is me first. Rudeness, is you get out of the way...make room for me. Love must have manners, because it cares about the other. It is always considerate of the other, and putting their needs first. Rudeness is rampant today. There is no consideration of the other whether you are driving a car or riding on a bus. People don't seem to care about those around them. That's because we are becoming a loveless society. Let's put love back into our culture by showing consideration for those around us...especially those close around us!

[I Corinthians 13:5]

Love is Not Proud

Pride in the Greek means to think more highly of yourself, than perhaps you should. It's a bit like hyperinflation, you are asking for more than your are worth. Hyperinflation is when prices increase so rapidly that currency loses value. Pride also encapsulates the idea of one appearing above others, which denotes looking down on others.

Love thinks less of self, and more of others. Love thinks you are worth more than me. Love doesn't look down on people, it looks up and out to people. Pride is antithetical to love. If you've got pride, check it in for love.

[I Corinthians 13:4]

Love Does Not Boast

Aren't boasters the worst people to be around? Arrogant braggards are a drag and a bore. That's why love does not boast. Love has humility. Love would ask, "What is there to brag about, but you?" Because their eyes are on the other. Love is good to be around. Love hardly even notices they did any good, any less than they notice others did not do so good (I Corinthians 13:5). Boasters are all about them and what they've done. Love is all about the other ~ and what can be done for the other.

Who do you like being around? Or should I say, who do you love being around?

I Corinthians 13:4

Love Does Not Envy

Envy is all about the green eye...what others have that you do not. It's about what they've got and I want. It's the thought that you have it and I'm going to take it from you, or at least I don't want you to have it. Bottom line, it's selfishness, self centeredness. This is not what love is about. Love is about giving. Love is about ~ I have it and I want to share it with you, or give it completely to you, because you are more important than me. Envy says I'm the most important one here, 'it's all about me.' It's the culture we live in. It's the marketing campaign of all ads, 'you deserve it.' It's anathema to love. If you have envy in your heart, it crowded love out. The good news is if you have love in your heart, there is no room for envy.

(I Corinthians 13:4)

Love is Kind

The second description of love found in First Corinthians 13, is that love is kind. Here's a good indicator. How kind am I? How kind was I to the clerk that didn't wait on me right away (patience again)? How kind was I to the man who stepped in front of me in line today? Was my glare kind? The bumper sticker says "practice random acts of kindness." Wouldn't it be nice if we just practiced intentional acts of kindness everyday? I know that would make someone's day better, and that someone could be me!

"Kindness trumps greed: it asks for sharing.

Kindness trumps fear: it calls forth gratefulness and love.

Kindness trumps even stupidity, for with sharing and love, one learns."

Marc Estrin

Love Anyway

Last night I was looking through some of Robert's old files. I found this poem, called Anyway:

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered,

LOVE THEM ANYWAY

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,

DO GOOD ANYWAY

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies,

SUCCEED ANYWAY

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,

DO GOOD ANYWAY

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable,

BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY

What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight,

BUILD ANYWAY

People really need help but may attack you if you help them,

HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth,

GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY

It says this poem is from a wall at a children's home in Calcutta (Shishu Bhavan).

This should be written in our hearts. It answers the questions on this day. If you're going to lose someone, why love them? Here's the answer, I'd do it all over again. LOVE THEM ANYWAY. People will disappoint you, people will leave you, people will hurt you, but LOVE THEM ANYWAY.