Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Co 13: 4-7) I read this scripture not too long ago, as I watched two young people begin their lives together beneath the covenant of marriage. It’s a typical scripture for the occasion, though I am careful to mention that the Apostle Paul was speaking of something infinitely more important and powerful than just the romantic love that exists between two humans. This is a word portrait of God Himself. GOD is patient, GOD is kind… There have been times I have challenged listeners to put their names where it says “Love” and give an honest critique of their present performance as an imitator of God: CHRISTY is patient, CHRISTY is kind…?
Some days I can make it farther than others before I feel like a hypocrite or a flat-out failure. Still, this is our charge as “Christ’s Ambassadors”: just as He was the embodiment of God’s love, so are we to be. At least, that’s the goal we’re aiming for. Please don’t tune out. This is where folks usually think it’s just another message about WWJD and fold the paper because they already know this. Stick with me: have you ever noticed the critical difference between knowing something and doing something? I’ve had this point come up in a couple of conversations lately: a young adult was talking about knowing that investing now in a high-yield savings account would take care of them in retirement, yet prioritizing that goal, when the money is available for instant gratification, there’s always tomorrow or the next day. We all know that our health benefits from diet and exercise. Still 70% of Americans are overweight. It’s becoming apparent the detrimental effects of screen time on our children, but it’s so easy to let them have the device. We know cigarettes cause cancer, unprotected sex can cause pregnancy, and spending beyond our income can lead to insurmountable debt; yet millions deal with (or don’t deal with) these issues daily.
Doing is much more than just knowing. Jesus said this of the sacrificial love He had been modeling to His disciples: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17) I say all this to make this point: we know how we are supposed to act. As Christians, we are to be patient and kind. We are not supposed to be envious, boastful, our prideful. We should not dishonor others, or be selfish. We should not anger easily or hold grudges. We should strive toward honesty and transparency. In us, the world should find safety, trustworthiness, positivity and perseverance. We know this. I’m not sure we’re committed to doing this.
We allow the world, our circumstances, or other people’s behavior to be our excuse to stray from the parameters God has set for us. Integrity isn’t conditional: at least, it shouldn’t be. Character isn’t optional: at least, it shouldn’t be. I don’t say this as if I am approaching perfection or judge any others who fall short, we all will. That is the down-side of being human. Still, as those who bare the Name above all names, we should be striving to put our knowledge of God’s image into practice. Wouldn’t the world be a different place if we all made that leap of faith from knowing, to doing?
Christy Alexander was born and raised in Council Grove, and considers it the privilege of a lifetime to be able to minister to her hometown as the Pastor of the First Congregational UCC since 2009. She resides on a 5-generation farm north of town with her family, and has also been active in Council Grove’s business community since 2000. Pursuing God is her deepest desire: one she strives to share and encourage in others through her role as pastor and apprentice of Jesus.