But there is one thing more St. Paul says to us: Love is eternal.
“Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge it will pass away.” Love is the only thing in this world that is eternal. Think about it. Everything else that you accomplish will one day be left behind. So you have your body in great condition. Super, but one day you will leave it behind. So you have worked your way up to the top of your corporation. Wonderful. Enjoy it while you can. As far as I know there are no corporations in heaven. So you have mastered the study of microbiology. Terrific. Unfortunately, such knowledge belongs to the physical universe not to the spiritual. I am not saying these things are not important. I am saying that they pale in comparison to your relationship with others- -for your love for othes and for God, is the only thing in this world that is eternal.
It’s like a group of soldiers who were released from prison camp at the end of World War II. Because the transportation was limited and bad weather threatened to cut off the port, the remaining soldiers who were to board the last boat were told they could bring only one piece of baggage. Two soldiers had been together throughout the war and had looked out for each other. When one was selected to go and the other was forced to stay behind and wait for a later boat the first man turned over his duffel bag, spilling out all his personal possessions onto the ground, then told his friend to step into the bag. He then strenuously lifted the bag onto his back and carried his most important item of luggage onto the ship - -his friend.
That’s a smart soldier. Are you that smart? Am I? Only two things really matter in this world - -our relationship with God and our relationships with others. This is true excellence. Love is more than an emotion; it is concrete acts of caring concern. And it never ends. It is the only thing in this world that is eternal.
Do you know the source of this love? He is the model from which Paul got his template. “Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God lives in Him. If you know Him, He will empower you to be love….to be His hands and feet, His body in this world. Decide today!
The picture below is of the one who has loved me and our children with great abandon...she is sitting just below a poster that has the name "God" on it, reminding us to think of who loves each of us into and beyond eternity. Gods' love is eternal, and God is love!