“Without love, I am nothing… Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1Cor.13:2,13). “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal. 5:6). “Do everything in love” (1Cor.16:14).
Lord Jesus, I’m grateful for daily mercies. Yesterday I let myself get relationally “bugged,” and then settled into a few hours of “funk-n-fuming.” Instead of “faith expressing itself in love,” I settled for self-pity expressing itself in pouting. As I fellowship with you this morning, I’m grateful your love for us will never waver or end. Three words come to mind and heart as I lean into this Saturday.
Perspective: Jesus, until you glorify us, we shouldn’t be shocked at what we’re capable of thinking, feeling, saying, and doing. As Jack Miller taught me, a life of walking with you isn’t about having less to repent of, but offering quicker repentances. I’m not shocked by my “funk-n-fuming” yesterday, just sad I chose to linger in it longer than was helpful to anyone. Jesus, grant me and my praying friends quicker repentances.
“Prepent”: Better to start a day in humility than having to be humbled. To maintain a gentle and kind heart is to live repentant before we have to repent. It’s to “pre-pent”—to live convictable and teachable, and to be less judgmental of others.
Prepare: All of this is possible because of your great love for us, Jesus. We are most like you when we love like you, and we will love like you as we spend more time with you. Not just time learning about you, but time invested adoring you, listening to you, lingering before you, Jesus. Thank you for craving this kind of time with us. Astonishing and true… So Very Amen.