Corona Devo 96

Have you ever had the pleasure of getting lost in the melodic chant of a wind chime?  
Yesterday our house was quiet (a rarity), and the windows were open and the wind was a-blowin.  It was the perfect staging for the set of wind chimes hanging in our front peach tree.  They tingled and tanged in a concert all their own, and it was lovely.  Relaxing.  Peaceful.  Calming.  Reassuring.

More often, I have opposite sounds assaulting my ears.  Loud voices (sometimes it's mine!), shouts of excitement, or demanding barks.  Bickering. Opinionated quarrels.  These sounds ring out in our homes and our Nation.  I would never liken them to the lull of my windchimes.  No--far from it.  The noise that our pride and self-focus creates is more like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.  

But The Lord doesn't want us making noise for Him.  He desires that we speak in love.  Act in love.  And that our lives reverberate with the sound of His love--lived out.

We can attempt to "do the right thing", or to "do good", but our hearts must be in the right place for our efforts to have any true effect or meaning to others.  We have to be motivated by God's love. 

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.  ~I Corinthians 13:1-3

These verses (and much of what the Bible says) are so counter-cultural.  The world says that if we can accomplish or attain it on our own, we will be golden.  We will be happy and fulfilled.  
But God says the opposite here, and He is (of course) right.  Have you ever been there?  Gotten the recognition but had no one to share the victory with?  Won the game, but felt yucky because you played dirty to win? 

These verses use big examples such as:
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels...  ~I Corinthians 13:1
If I had the gift of prophecy... ~I Corinthians 13:2
If I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge... ~I Corinthians 13:2
If I had such faith that I could move mountains...~I Corinthians 13:2
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrified my body...~I Corinthians 13:2

Those would be amazing feats to be accomplished...But what?  In these listed accomplishments and in our day to day activities...they mean nothing without love.

If we live and serve others in love, our efforts have a harmony to them.  God's love in us and coming out through us makes our efforts more than just efforts.  They are amplified when coupled with God's love.  

"Getting the job done" is one thing.   
Getting the job done and loving others brings a different dimension to the situation.  It's lovely.  Relaxing.  Peaceful.  Calming.  Reassuring.

With love, we become wind chimes instead of a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (I Corinthians 13:1).

Lord, I know that You have plans for us today.  And Your word proves that we can do amazing things together.  Let us proceed in a melody of effort and love.  And direct our steps to show us What and with Whom.  You are the wind in our chimes, Father.

Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/

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