This
quote from “Mother Teresa” is true. Very hard to actually do, but
TRUE nonetheless. Many years ago, I had the honor of
being allowed to preach full-time (but mostly part-time) for several
congregations of the church of Christ.
I
attempted to do all that is positive within Teresa’s statement, but
ultimately gave up. For years I told myself that it was only for
family reasons, but I no longer believe this to be true. After years
of reflection, I believe that I just couldn’t completely put
into everyday practice the following passage….
1
Corinthians 13 ( World
English
Bible
)
4
Love
is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is
not proud, 5 doesn’t
behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not
provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn’t
rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. 8 Love
never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away
with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there
is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For
we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10 but
when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will
be done away with. 11 When
I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a
child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish
things. 12 For
now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in
part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully
known. 13 But
now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these
is love.
Being
a Christian can (at times) be a very challenging goal. Being a Gospel
preacher is the highest, most
difficult
goal I can think of. While I may have failed in my quest to proclaim
the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a preacher, I am cognizant of the fact
that even the smallest of efforts to
serve Christ will not be forgotten.
Jesus
said:
Matthew
10 ( WEB )
34 “Don’t
think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send
peace, but a sword. 35 For
I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter
against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law. 36 A
man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37 He
who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he
who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 He
who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of
me. 39 He
who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my
sake will find it. 40 He
who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who
sent me. 41 He
who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a
prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a
righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 Whoever
gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in
the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way
lose his reward.” (emphasis
added)
So,
how
do we actually put into practice “Mother Teresa’s” admonitions?
The answer is love, a love that embodies everything that is taught in
1 Corinthians, chapter 13. And, when you think about it…
LOVE
is really the biggest word
of them all!
So,
Please be patient with me, as I am still trying to get that greatest
of all words
integrated completely into my life. And I sincerely
hope that
all who read the post will
also have the same goal as well.