Love Never Fails

Cal Sullivan

It’s been a tough week for our family, which has challenged me mentally and spiritually, having to come to terms with a few truths that will in essence have a lasting change on our lives and relationships.

This reminded me of what God says about love, prophecy and knowledge and the kingdom of God:

Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13: 8–13)

God reminds us that many things we may put our trust in are not permanent, even though we may think so; that human knowledge and even prophetic revelation is partial.

While we may think we have a full understanding of why things happen, or what Gods purpose is for us, He points out that what we see is only a partially revealed truth - like looking through a faded mirror - and that all will only be revealed with the coming of the Heavenly Kingdom.

This was revealed first hand to me. I was of the opinion that I knew at least some of God’s purpose for me; that I was a strong person who could handle most things due to my knowledge and ability.

I remember being told a few years back that - while it is good to have an understanding of God, who He is, and the history behind it all - it is more important to get to know God, to know Jesus, to have a relationship with Him, to talk to Him and let Him speak to you.

And that one of the most important purposes of the Gospels is not just to teach us about Jesus, but to open our hearts to Him through His Spirit; to let Him touch us, and for us to fall in love with Him.

This week I was shaken and stripped of my preconceptions of my self-importance. Through this, Jesus revealed, as in His word, the temporary nature of things and what little control we actually have.

We are encouraged to let go and to trust Him, to put our uncertainties and unknowns in His hands, to love and be loved.

God’s love is patient, kind, it always protects and always endures.

Even if we do not know what the future holds - God holds us.