Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ~1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

I'm sure you're familiar with this passage. It's a classic passage quoted at wedding ceremonies. I know I have heard it at several of the ones I have attended. Recently, I was reminded of a different way this passage can be quoted.

I heard it several years ago at a conference, but for some reason, my mind was sparked by it again. The speaker shared how the Lord convicted him to take the words "love" and "it" out of the passage and replace them with his own name. I had never heard of doing that exercise before, but I liked what I heard and was compelled to do the same.

It goes like this:

Susan is patient, Susan is kind. Susan does not envy, Susan does not boast, Susan is not proud. Susan does not dishonor others, Susan is not self-seeking, Susan is not easily angered, Susan keeps no record of wrongs. Susan does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Susan always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love is a noun and verb. I'm a noun and live like a verb. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have failed to live out these verses in this way. Thank God, He is a God of second chances. ☺

Take a moment and do the word exchange. I promise you, it will influence you to live differently.