These Things Remain

1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)

Romans 8:39 – Neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

It wasn't my best day. Owing to the recent battle with SARS in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the day started with the disappointing cancellation of my regular visit to our local detention centre, a volunteer service which always inspires me. Then a friend, who seemed to be seeking the companionship of Jesus, turned from Him and me. I felt like a meddling fool. And so the day went, until I went to my doctor's office for a renewal of my medication. On the way, I passed my "dream house". I always wonder yearningly what it would be like to live in it. My mind turned to the passage in Ecclesiastes about the "years … when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1 NIV).

Then the Holy Spirit intervened, scolding me for such defeatism. Was I not going to see my doctor, whose vigilance and Christian concern had saved my life years ago when my heart needed surgery? I began to think of the summer, when all my four children and most of my grandchildren, some from our distant west coast, plan to visit me. Indeed, the things of this world are passing and changeable. What is permanent? As St. Paul reminds us, only the love of God, that love which inspires all our human loves, and is the basis of all our joys, remains forever. With this thought I began to praise His name, and joy filled my soul.

Prayer: How quickly, Father, we forget all Your blessings when we are disappointed by this passing life. Holy Spirit, we thank You for Your vigilance in reminding us of the Father's surpassing love. We rejoice in You and bless You. We thank You for Your love revealed to us in Jesus. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook