This week the Oldham Woods church of Christ is having a gospel meeting with lessons based on I Corinthians 13~~~lessons on what love is and what love is not.
In one of the lessons, Greg told a story about two men walking towards one another along a path on a steep cliff. On one side of the path was the rocky wall of the cliff. On the other side was a sheer drop. There was only room for one traveler to pass. When they met up to each other, no matter what they tried, they could not pass each other and continue on their journeys. Finally, after several attempts, one of the men laid down on the ground and allowed the other traveler to walk across his back and continue on his travels.
THAT is what love is; the giving of ourselves to others for their betterment, without thought to our discomfort or pain.
As we shake our heads in agreement to the meaning behind the story, we must consider what stranger we tend to be. Are we the stranger that gives no thought to helping others? Do we lie down when there is a need? Or, are we one that expects others to make a way for us; to smooth out our journey? And while there are times when we need others to lie down for us, we need to look beyond our own needs and seek out opportunities to show others love.
As we journey on the 'cliff of life', let us take every opportunity to show another journeymen the love that was shown to us in the holy life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
Love seeks out those in need. It knows no bounds. Love is not manifested for the glory of others, but for the hope of those it is being bestowed on to.
Love never fails!
I Corinthians 13: Love suffers long and does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails
