13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Paul is closing his first letter to the Corinthians. He gives the Corinthians his travel itinerary. He hopes to visit them but not just a “passing visit”, after he visits Macedonia. It seems he is writing from Ephesus. He recommends Timothy and Apollos to them as worthy of hospitality. Then he again warns them to guard their hearts and to stand firmly, be courageous and strong.
Think of a place or person you would like to visit. What would be the purpose of your visit and what would you hope to happen? If I were younger I might be willing to volunteer for a work team to go to the the hurricane Helene area to help with clean up. I would think of taking supplies so I would not be a burden and taking tools to help with the work. My agenda would be quite different if I were heading out on vacation to Disney World for vacation. Then again if I were making a trip to visit family, my agenda would be different again.
Paul is visiting young Christian churches. He wants to encourage and teach them. His final advice is to do everything in love. This is good advice for facing today. Lord, whether we face a disaster, or a vacation, or friends, whatever our travel itinerary, may all I do come from a heart of love and not criticalness. May I be courageous with my truth and strong in helping others. Thank you for walking with me.
On the Way to Wonder 