When I read straight through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church, Chapter 13 can seem out of place. Paul has been writing extensively about the Body of Christ (the local congregation) and how everyone fits into the Body. He has shared that every person within the Body is essential for a healthy Body because each person has spiritual gifts that God has given them that when combined make a fully functioning Body of Christ. Out of this long monologue Paul seems to lose focus and go into a rabbit trail about love. In our reading today we realize that this has not been a rabbit trail, but that love is the key ingredient at the center of everything!
In the early church the big three spiritual gifts were, prophesy, speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge. Paul uses these to emphasis that they are all worthless (as well as all the other gifts listed in chapter twelve) without love. Love is the centerpiece of the Christian life. Love is the thing that, if cultivated, will never go away. The greatest gift God has given everyone of us is love, as you watch the video I will share a story from the past few days that has emphasized this passage for me powerfully.
So What Activity: Today, take some time to examine your love meter. Are you growing in love for Christ, for others close to you and for the world around you or is love diminishing? If it is not becoming more and more vibrant, pray that God would fill you with His love and grow it within.
Blessings,
Jim
Lake Deaton at Home 
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