13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. (The Message)
In one way or another we find ourselves asking, "What must I do?" Then like the rich young ruler who heard Jesus say, "Give everything you have away and follow me," we go away sad because it isn't the answer we want to hear. It would be so much easier if we were just given a list of things that we could cross off a list when they have been done and then go about our lives just like we want rather than having to worry about what is going to come next. But when we are told to love extravagantly that is so much more difficult. After all what does that look like? When do we know that we have done this and can move on? It seems so vague when we are the ones who are trying to accomplish it but when you are on the receiving end of that extravagant love you know exactly what it looks like.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- Having read this far in 1 Corinthians what do you think extravagant love looks like for Paul?
- Have you ever been on the receiving end of extravagant love? What was/is it like?
- Is extravagant love possible without trust and hope? Why or why not?
- How might you practice giving extravagant love today?
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