Respondent

Good Thursday morning. I sit amazed at the fact that I have initiated myself into this blogging world. I have been so adamant for so long against it, but for some reason, when I sat down to journal this morning, I decided I wanted it to be online – to be something I could share if and when time allowed. I have no idea how consistent this will be in my life, nor how often I will share it with others, but I wanted to at least try my hand at it all.

This morning's 1st Reading is one of my favorites, despite the amount of times I have heard it in Church, at weddings, in testimonies, and beyond. Yes, of course, its the often-read 1 Corinthians 13. However, also included in today's first reading is 1 Corinthians 12:31 – "But earnestly desire the higher gifts..." If I could, I'd spend all day just talking about this...

The word earnestly is so specific and so humbling. How often do I wish to have a life chocked full of "the higher gifts" but how often do I work and desire that life EARNESTLY? I think more often than not the higher gifts seem too far away when it comes down to it. I am happy to report that lately I have felt like the higher gifts have been much more attainable in my life. Call it maturity, call it age, regardless, I feel as if the higher gifts have become something I not only desire greatly to attain, but arrange my life around attaining. It has become more of a responsibility of mine to make sure that I am earnest in my efforts with the Lord.

The rest of the story, 1 Corinthians 13: 1–10, 13, we've all heard before. This very scripture changed my life, literally, about a year and a half ago. Love became something not to be referred to but to be embodied. I heard a testimony one time, while staffing a high school retreat, about the discernment of love – whether or not "she/he is THE one?" The testimonee delivered the best portrayal of a living Gospel when he explained that in this "timeworn" message, how often have you asked yourself, "am I patient, am I kind, do I bear all things, believe all things, and hope all things?" And, what about he/she? Does he/she bear all things, believe all things, wish to endure all things? Its a clear and definitive rubric for our lives – when things get stale, what better way to revive; when things get confusing, what better way to clarify; when times are tough, what better way to encourage?

I am pleased to report that for today, my heart is respondent to this Scripture. It is aroused by the idea that my life must be lived earnestly – with the higher gifts that the Lord has for me seen as gifts that can and should be mine; with the intention of actually grasping hold of the Will in my life, not just wishing to.