...but the greatest of these...

I was thinking back to three years ago when I had the opportunity to visit our "field side" of the ministry I serve at. It was an amazing time - and funny thing is, I wasn't impacted by the things I thought I'd be impacted by: the need, the fruit, the enormity of the task ahead or the ministry at large. Just "little things". One of the little things God spoke to my heart about was love. Not (like my dad says) "nice warm fuzzies" but real life worked out love. Right before the trip I heard about King David and how at one point he wanted to sacrifice - give a gift - to God. What was striking was that he refused the offer of a "free sacrifice". Now normally, "free is a good price". But David basically said, "I won't offer something to God that doesn't cost me something in return." This is what God impressed on my heart: love in a way that costs you something. And He gave me ample opportunity to walk this lesson out. Time and again when I was tempted to get frustrated or selfish, He would remind me "love in a way that costs you". Like when I was exhausted after a trip to a temple and was lying down. Someone came in and really really needed to talk - so (with the charge echoing in my ears) I got up and took the time to listen and challenge them. Being there for someone, being real with them, asking forgiveness, spending time with someone I had a hard time with. Or little things that honestly I can't remember. Like we say "love is an action" - and it's true.
"Now abide these things: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."