Today's Devotional

October 11, 2005

Subject:  After The Love Is Gone 

1 Corinthians 13:7 - "Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up."

This is not in reference to the oldie but goodie song sung by Earth, Wind and Fire back in the 70's.  It's taking a look at how much people are now going to be willing to give to these recurring disasters.  It kind of all started with the Tsunami in Asia and Africa.  The numbers of dead were mind-boggling and of biblical proportions.  There were more than 250,000 killed and many more still missing even now, more than 9 months after the disaster.  Then there were the major hurricanes that devastated the U.S., Katrina and Rita.  More than 1,500 lost their lives in these two storms and it hit home with us because we're physically close to them.  Now we have this earthquake in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the death toll continues to climb between 20 and 30 thousand, while millions, I repeat, millions remain homeless.  

There was record giving throughout the world for the Tsunami and for Katrina according to international relief agencies and many people continue to give.  At this point though I'm wondering how many people though have now cleaned out their attics and closets and have no more unused and unwanted goods to discard.  I wonder if the world has come to its end of compassion.  I wonder if it was compassion at all in the first place.  I then wonder if Christians are doing the same thing.  Is the love gone?

See that old song by Earth, Wind and Fire talked about how love could come and go and after it was gone, then things just weren't right anymore.  Well that's a song that I used to like as a child, but now I see its error and it's definitely not based in 1st Corinthians 13, because there the scripture says that "love suffers long" and that it "endures through everything."  Likewise real compassion isn't here one day and then gone the next.

Today our compassion goes on and perhaps it's time to actually give something that causes us to sacrifice.  No more old clothes or blankets?  Buy some and give them away.  No more money?  Sacrifice that soda or fast food for a week and give that money to someone who can use it to help.  There are many ways to help the hurting if we have the love.  We're awash, as we've always been, in a world of people in need.  As God has blessed, so should you bless.  Show the world what He has shown you.  Give today.  

Carlen