How do YOU measure up?

I like descriptive word pictures. Here's one. There is a magic, no - no - "spiritual" 18-inches that often goes unnoticed. It is the distance between the mind and the heart. 18" - not that great of physical distance - but it sure can impact lives. Inflexible dogma may, to some, provide a form of security; while often leaving a trail of carnage along it's heartless path. Emotional compassion may, to some, also provide a form of security but it alone seldom provides a foundation upon which lasting stability is achieved.

Uniquely extending from between these too [seemingly] opposing points are the hands. Outstretched hands have opportunity to provide unselfish and balanced care and guidance to those in need. No, I suppose I am not much of a politician. I'm a Christian. Outstretched hands paid a price for me - so that I might share That love with others. It is not by declaration or decree that I would have individuals embrace the central figure of Christianity. That is a personal matter of which I have no influence. But if I am tempted to volley knowledge for my own edification I am nothing. The first letter from Paul to the Christians in the church at Corinth states it clearly. In the thirteenth chapter Paul, through inspiration, writes:

“If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not the love [that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as inspired by God’s love for and in us], I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers - that is, the gift of interpreting the Devine will and purpose; and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I gave (sufficient) faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love [God’s love in me] I am nothing, a useless nobody. EVEN if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned [or in order that I may glory], but have not love [God’s love in me], I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious or boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited - arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly0, and does not act unbecomingly. Love [God’s love in us] does not insist on on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it - pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice in injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails - never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. As for prophecy [that is, the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose], it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [that is, it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). But when the complete and [total] comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away - become antiquated, void and superseded. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part 9imperfectly); but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. And so faith, hope, love abide; [faith, conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and Devine things; hope, joy and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love , true affection of God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three but the greatest of these is love.”

So, how do YOU choose to measure up - today?

God Bless