Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; it is not arrogant. – I Corinthians 13:4
Valentine’s Day is a time when we talk a lot about love. We plan dinners and treats for our loved ones and stress about how much money to spend and how elaborate to make it. One story I read this year was about Carmella and John Finnegan, a couple celebrating their 75th Valentine’s Day. When asked how they have maintained such a long and happy marriage, Carmella said, “I always say it’s the two Ps: patience and perseverance.”
God’s love is like that: patient and consistent. In the Bible, we are reminded of the stories like that of Saul, where God not only loves through our mistakes but redeems us and changes us so that we can go on to change the world for the better. God took Saul, who was actively speaking against Him, and made him an advocate for Christianity. We are never too far gone or have made too many mistakes. God always has a way forward for us, wrapped in His love and His forgiveness, because His love is persistent and patient.
Are there relationships where we can practice more patience and perseverance? Can we share the kind of love that God gives us? If we practiced more patience in loving those around us, what kind of ripple effect would we have? This Lent, perhaps we can add more patience and perseverance into our relationships and even those with whom we briefly come in contact. In this way, maybe we can bring people closer to God and remind them that love always wins.
Candace Fish, Edmond Campus Director of Traditional Worship
