“Love is long suffering and is kind, love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…” 1 Corinthians 13:4

A Bouquet Knit Together

The photo above is a mixture of flowers from my garden. I thought the bouquet was beautiful with different varieties and colors. Of course, the Lord had a message through the bouquet of flowers. During this time of uneasiness, disruption, hopeless moments, frustration, rage, mixed feelings of this and that, “my way is right,” the list is never-ending if we choose to dwell on the negative.

I have spent time conversing with a Christian friend who has different thoughts on whether to wear or not wear a face mask. My “self” tells me that he is terribly wrong, however I still love this friend. But then again, I noticed I continued to let the bad thoughts about him stir up evil in me. Hmmm, that does not match up with a verse I have been reading repeatedly these past four months. “Love is long suffering and is kind, love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

I am reminded in Ephesians that Paul instructs the whole body to work towards God’s goal. Although we are different people, each part has a share to complete. God has equipped us and made us unique masterpieces. “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

Now going back to the bouquet of flowers. This was an act of placing each individual flower in a specific spot according to colors and shapes in order to fill in blank spaces. The flowers were knit together, playing their part for the purpose of the “whole.”

Lord, help us to remember the goal in living for You in this temporary world.