The Power of Love
The day had finally arrived. People were gathering from far and near to celebrate the power of love and God's calling. Hugs and greeting abounded as people met with open arms--sharing the joy of the day. All was ready. Everyone arrived. It was time--after ten long years, it was time.
Formal and informal were meshed together as so many from different walks of life came together. They came because of love--to celebrate God's love, guidance and care. As the service progressed they gathered around one. She sat as they encircled her, touching her, laying their hands on her head, her shoulders, her back and they began to pray.
She could feel the warmth of their bodies gathered together, the weight and pressure of their hands upon her. She was wrapped in a cocoon of emotion. It was strong and weighty upon her. The solemnity of the moment was upon her. All around her was dark as they drew near to her--almost shutting out the light.
Then she heard her spirit say, "look up." She opened her eyes and the room went from muted light to brilliant. Light infused the air, all around her, and she could see the power of love. Streaming through the room light filled every corner. As she continued to hear the words of the prayer, she could also hear the spirit of God singing and filling them all. At that moment the weight of the cocoon released as they all said "Amen."
As people released her, tears flowed. People moved to their seats. Tears flowed. Love connected them. The true power of love was fulfilled.
There are moments in our lives when we feel the darkness and weight of despair. Frustration of the circumstances of the moment holds us in place--shackling us. Love can find a way to free us from the darkness. Circumstances don't really change, but the strength to go on, to seek answers, not to give us fills us with a power and light that cannot be explained.
One word of kindness; a simple act; standing up for the weak and weary may be all it takes for the power of love to multiply and break through the barriers and bonds. One random act of kindness could be the difference between despair and the strength to continue on.
If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.
Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. . . . And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13 Amplified Bible)
God of love, when we cling tightly to our comfortable cocoon, whisper to our spirit so that we may open our eyes and see the power of your love flowing through our lives. Teach us to be conduits of your power through love. So be it. Amen.
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