Love Is...Always Hopeful and Endures Through Every Circumstance
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” 1 Corinthians 13:7
I was a cross country runner in college. I always knew that racing would require I endure intense physical and mental strain. On race day, only 7-10 girls from the team would race, which meant that the other girls who were on the team were in charge of cheering.
Our coach would always tell those cheering to go to the places on the course no other fan would go, what he called the “lonely places.” Once the racers leave the starting line most fans do not follow them. It’s just simply too exhausting! Most fans do not have the endurance to stay with the runners through the whole race.
Godly love endures with people, never losing faith in God as He works in and through them. The world of sports today abandons athletes who are in a slump or a team who is on a losing streak. However, love chooses to hope and believe that God’s not finished with an individual. Because of that, we will walk with others and cheer for them in the “lonely places!” Jesus didn’t give up on us, He endured the cross and all the pain that came with it so that we might be saved. As believers, we’re called and empowered by the Spirit to love others in this same way.
- Who in your life is in need of someone to endure with them or who have you given up on?
- How is God asking you to endure with the people from the above question?
- If you are “too exhausted” to endure in love, why do you think that is? What steps do you need to take in your relationship with God to change that?
Psalm 136; 2 Timothy 1:15-18; Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 13:1-3
“God, You truly are love. Even the cross was not too much for You to endure to save us. I confess I have given up on people and lost faith and hope in Your power to transform at times. Help me to love others with an enduring Christ-like love. Amen.”
