Day 8: The More Excellent Way

"So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!" (1 Corinthians 12:31–13:7)

Reflection: Paul calls love the more excellent way. Excellence without love is only noise.

Prayer: Lord, let love mark everything we do. Make us patient and kind with each other, and keep us from pride as we pursue excellence. Amen.

Gratitude Post: Thank God for someone who has shown you patient love.