Giving It All

"If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."  1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

Giving It All!  I hear that expression in many different perspectives. 

• Giving It All to the sport that one is competing in
• Giving It All to a particular project one is working on
• Giving It All to a relationship that one is dedicated to

Yet, in the sense of our friend Paul in 1 Corinthians, giving it all means giving ALL your possessions to the poor.  Not just what you can afford, not just what you can part with, not even giving everything and leaving you with the bare minimum.  In this case, Paul is referring to giving it ALL - your possessions and possibly your life.  I would think that if a person were to give in that light, that they should gain SOMETHING.  Yet Paul shared without love, they gain NOTHING.

This verse certainly made me think long and hard.  There have been times in my life where I believed I "gave it all".  It could have been in any one of the cases in bullets above - a time where I was competing and "didn't leave anything on the table", or when I worked on a project so hard and long that there was "nothing left to give" or even in a relationship when I believed I did "all that I could do" to make the relationship work.  Did I do all of that for nothing?

What Paul is trying to share, and what makes such great sense, is that when we give it all, without love, the effort results in nothing.  There have been times when I have done something in order to get it off my plate or check it off my list.  Maybe it was something that was expected of me.  Maybe it was something I felt I "had" to do.  When we give in times such as those, performing acts or giving gifts, without any love, becomes of no value - to me or to the gift that was given.

I believe we all agree that when we give with a sense of love, of true love, the giving is made easier.  When we give without boasting, without expecting anything in return, the giving is all the sweeter.  This is hard!  I know many people who say, "I give without expecting anything in return," yet, they do expect something - a thank you, a hug, something?  I, myself have been like that.  Sure, I'm giving out of love, but sometimes I want that thank you.  Was it truly out of unconditional love that I gave?  Certainly, this verse has helped me to reflect on that.

We are human, and by nature, we sin.  I love this verse because it helps me to re-evaluate the act of love and giving.  I certainly don't want to boast about the giving that I do.  I want to be the cheerful giver in ALL circumstances - not just the ones that are convenient for me.  I have much work to do in this arena.  Yet, with God's help - and Paul's reminder - I pray to recognize, love and give.

Heavenly Father, giving with a cheerful heart is one thing - giving with a heart full of unconditional love can be another.  Many times, we may give for all the wrong reasons.  We may give out of something we should do versus something we love to do.  Help us, Jesus, to recognize our giving hearts and may we bring the precious love of you in all that we give.  In your loving name we pray, Amen!

Speak with Love

Have you ever been around one of those people who happens to know everything?  I'm not just talking about a "know it all".  I'm speaking of one who truly seems to know so much about all things.  These type of people are the ones I wonder, "How can they gain that much knowledge?"  I'm assuming they are incredible readers and spend their extra time reading and studying versus playing Solitaire on their phone.  

I respect people like that - who truly seem to have deep wisdom.  Yet, when I review how I feel about someone like that, it typically falls into two categories.   There are those who have deep knowledge and share it as if they have "all the marbles" or all the knowledge, and I know nothing.  They have a tendency to share their wisdom or knowledge without much thought about who they share that knowledge with.  As the recipient in cases such as those, I will listen, but I don't "take it in", I don't digest what they are sharing.  It will go through one ear and out the other.  All that knowledge shared, yet not received, because it was shared in a way where no love or concern was a part of the conversation.

In the other category are the people who I not only respect, but also truly admire.  These are individuals who share, not for what gains them, but for what is in it for ME, the receiver.  When information is shared in this manner, with concern and love for the person who is receiving the information, it takes on such a different light.  I listen intently to these messages.  I hang on every word, and I will return to hear more from such people.  It is these folks that make my heart rejoice in the wonder of God and His impact in my life.  When one writes or speaks, they bring that love into all of their words.

Such is the manner by which Paul is speaking to us in the passage today.  There are many in faith that will share much about their understandings of the Bible and how to "interpret" the words of God.  It's funny though, that when I read or listen to those people, my heart doesn't flutter, my soul doesn't leap and my mind doesn't hunger for more.  The message is being shared without the most important component - LOVE.  The person in the Bible I believe shares God's message, with such love, is Paul.  Paul transformed not only HIMSELF (with the grace of God), but transformed others with his words of love.  Oh, to be more like Paul.

I certainly fall short when it comes to understanding and sharing God's wisdom.  What I do pray that as we talk with each other, and share God's word on our hearts, is that we share that with others by way of our hearts - full of love and compassion.  For it is in that manner that God's word will be richly received.

Dearest God, help me to speak your love and wisdom from a sense of love and not pride.  Bring words to my mouth that will show others the great love you have for me and for them.  Help your word, God, breathe love of life into others.  In your name we pray, Amen.

Clanging Cymbals

"And now I will show you the most excellent way.  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

Seventh grade Sunday School.  Mr. D decided to take a bunch of seventh graders and show us how to truly love, God's way.  It was a defining moment in my faith.  As we prepare for lent (only one month away), I thought I would take this opportunity to do a series blog on this wonderful chapter.  My goal is to help prepare our hearts for a special time of year - Lent.  It will probably run a little longer than Ash Wednesday, but I hope God blesses us in wonderful ways.

I like to talk - no surprise to many of you who know me.  When someone asks me to speak on a particular subject and they say, "Do you think you can talk for about an hour?" my typical response is, "I can talk about peanut butter and jelly for an hour!"  There are many times when I speak that I believe MY words are right and are truth.  Yet, when I reflect back on many of those moments, I often realize that my words - as eloquent as they might be - may not have been shared in love.  

How so?  I remember times when I may have judged people's actions, or believed my opinion or way of doing something was the ONLY way for that action to take place.  I may have shared those words with a great sense of conviction to all those that I spoke to.  Then I walked away from that conversation only to feel empty inside - and I'm sure the person/people I was speaking to felt the same way.  

Conversations can yield such positive results.  Think back to THOSE conversations.  They typically are not just shared with a sense of intellect, but also with the most important ingredient - the ingredient of love.  When we talk to others, regardless of what language we may be speaking or how the message is shared, when we add love to our words, the words spill out in a most glorious way.  

Words are a powerful tool in today's society.  They are shared in so many different mediums - verbal, written, and even images.  People expand their ability to communicate by learning different languages and using translation systems to ensure their words are delivered.  Due to the internet, we have the ability to speak to people all over the world instantly. How Awesome!!  Is it?

It is if we are able to share our words in love.  As Paul so richly describes, when our words are shared without love, they turn into a "resounding gong or clanging cymbal", neither of which are music to our ears. As I move through my day, I need to remember this.  If my words are not filled with love, are they hurtful?  If my words are not filled with love, are they worth saying?  If my words are not filled with love, am I truly aspiring to be like Jesus?  

Let's take a few moments during these next few weeks to re-evaluate our words.  Let's stop and think before we speak.  Are our words filled with God's Love??  If not, we can risk our words being heard like clanging cymbals.  I don't know about you, but I know I don't want my words to be heard like that - and I know I have some work to do!!  Let's pray that our words are filled with God's Love!!

Dearest Jesus, you gave Paul the wonderful words of 1 Corinthians 13.  As we explore these words during the next few weeks, grant us the wisdom to see these words through Paul's eyes, through YOUR eyes.  May we learn where we can improve and may we, with your help, take the necessary steps to move forward in your grace.  In your name we pray, Jesus.  Amen!!

Hand of Help

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

Do not fear; I will help you."  Isaiah 41:13  (NIV)

The other day while in the grocery store I saw a mom and a young child holding hands while walking down one of the aisles.  I looked at the little one's hand cuddled so safely in the mother's hand and it brought me back to memories of when my children, when they were young, would search for my hand to walk with.  Yes, I do cherish those days.

What led up to the mom and child holding hands was a short moment when the mother, looking up at the shelves for a special item, took her hand away from the child.  You could see the child look around, wondering where the safety net had disappeared to.  The smile on the child's face when the mother's hand reconnected with the child was truly precious.  The hand of help was there and you  could actually see the relief in the child's face.

It not only reminded me of times when my young children would hold my hand, but also the days when, as an adult, I needed to hold someone's hand.  Times were difficult.  There was much to be concerned about.  My chemo treatments, dad's failing health, and relationships that seemed to be breaking apart.  The nights were the worst.  It seemed like I could handle juggling all the balls during the day, but the nights . . .

The nights had my thoughts drifting to horrible scenarios.  I thought of all the "what ifs" of my life.  What if the chemo didn't work?  What if my dad didn't make it?  What if my relationships couldn't be repaired?  Those thoughts would drive many sleepless nights and many heart palpitations.  During the middle of the night there were no family/friends to call and nobody to reach out to.  Except . . .

Except for the one hand that is always reaching to hold my hand - to hold your hand.  Jesus was always there with a hand of help.  He was always there to listen to my heart, to hear my cry.  On the darkest of nights, Jesus was there.  I may never understand why all those things happened in my life - especially what seemed right on top of each other.  Yet, I do understand that I was never alone.  Jesus was there with his hand of help.  

Know that Jesus is there for you as well.  His hand extends to you in your deepest despair.  As you try to sleep at night, He is sitting at the bedside with you, holding your hand.  As you struggle through the day, He is holding your hand as you sit by a sick loved one or struggle through a work project.  As you question the "what ifs" of your own life, He is there for you - holding your hand and letting you know that He loves you.  Remember this as you go through your days.  Your hand of help is only one thought away - let Jesus hold your hand and bring you to safety.

Dearest Savior, thank you for extending your hand of help each and every moment of the day - and of the evening.  Let me be reminded that when times get tough, your hand will safely guide me to peace.  Let me be reminded that your hand is also available when the days of joy surround me.  May I also, Jesus, extend  my hand to help those in need.  In your name I pray, Amen.