Window on the churches

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 47, 13 June 1974, Page 5

Window on the churches

Love is . . . no, I won't teli you what I think love is; what do you think it is?

We are all familiar with the little cartoon figures who say such things as — Love is . . . remembering his birthday; Love is . . . eating her bad cooking; Love is . . . forever. The Bible has quite a bit to say about love. "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. "Never haughty or selfish or rude. "Love does not d£mand its own way, is not irritable or touchy, does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. "Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. "If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. "You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him and always stand your ground in defending him. "All special gifts and powers from God will some day come to an end . . . but love goes on forever." 1 Corinthians 13 (Living Bible paraphrase). Are you the kind of person who bears grudges, remembering 'unkind or unfair things done to you for a long time? Take a look at yourself in the mirror — - do you most resemble the grizzly bear, or the elephant, because they are both credited with strange powers of memory for a wrong done to them, and uncanny ingenuity for revenge?

God made us in his image — let's live up to it. I'm sure everyone of you have at some time blown up a paper bag for the sheer satisfaction you get when it pops loudly and someone jumps. The difference between the blown up paper bag and the empty one is the amount of hot air you've put inside it. Love is not inflated — it doesn't have any delusions about itself of its own worth. Your attitude towards others will be governed by' your attitude towards yourself. Do you recall the fable about two mountain goats approaching each other on a narrow ledge? Realising there was no room to pass they reared and bucked, but neither budged. They backed, charged and locked horns again, but each held its ground. Again they parted and charged; then, like Gibraltar, they stood unmovable. Finally, the sensible one knelt down and let the other one climb over him. Then both went on their way. Sometimes we, too, must let other people walk over us. God gives us the best example of love by sending Jesus Christ his only son to die for us. Because of his great love for us, he made this sacrifice. Everybody is interested in love. • Do you remember the poignant song, "Where is Love?", sung by the lonely, disillusioned little boy in "Oliver!"? Do people have to search for evidence of love in your life, or is it easily seen? God is love. Love is . . . God!

Ailsie

Bennett.