I've decided to follow through with a conviction I had a while back: to stop using the word busy.
What does it mean when one says he or she is busy? For me, I find that I tend to use the word in the form of a complaint. For others, that might not be the case.
Busyness does not always indicate being productive. You can busily avoid things in life you need to deal with, people you need to talk to, or truly important things you need to accomplish.
Being busy simply means you are filling your time. But being busy in and of itself does not mean you are making a difference.
This post isn't about encouraging others to give up the word 'busy,' rather it's about my use of the word. Instead of saying, "I'm so busy this weekend!" which, for me, often has the underlying meaning of complaint about all I have to do I'd rather say, "I have a really full weekend ahead of me."
Does it really mean anything if you just substitute another word for busy? For me it does. By saying my life, schedule, day, etc. is full gets me to thinking about opportunity, not obligation. When I focus on being busy I feel that I am performing obligations. When I focus on life being full, I focus on the opportunity I have through doing the things I need to do.
This may not work for everyone, but I find for me that my thoughts have a strong influence on my mood and attitude. By doing something as simple as redirecting the nature of my thoughts I find myself naturally more optimistic, ambitious, and light-hearted.
I think there's a reason God's Word speaks so much about our thoughts. But that's another post for another day.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Simplicity
I'm sitting cross-legged on my couch with my laptop. My apartment is a mess, I'm eating microwaved oatmeal because my stove/oven died, and I'm listening to music I like. I'm trying to figure out how to make my paycheck stretch and cover my bills and I'm concerned about my car's ability to run for much longer without some costly repairs.
Yet, I'm content.
Even in the mist of financial insecurity I find myself in my own apartment with the lights on, fresh water available, and something to eat. I have enough money to have downloaded the songs I'm listening to on itunes. I have itunes. Kind of ridiculous to think I'm poor.
So much about my future is unknown to me. Where will I be in a year? For all I know, I could be in Wisconsin (seriously).
I really feel like I'm beginning to grow again in my relationship with God. For the past year someone else has been such a vital part of my life. So much so that I put most of my effort into that. When I finally gave it up to God, amazing things started to happen. Mainly, I started to move on.
Now that I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders, I feel content. I'm free to pursue the incredible possibilities God is laying before me without wondering how someone else will fit into the picture. That's not to say I wouldn't like for there to one day be someone else, but for now, I find where I'm at in life to be rather enjoyable.
There's something to be said about simplicity.
Yet, I'm content.
Even in the mist of financial insecurity I find myself in my own apartment with the lights on, fresh water available, and something to eat. I have enough money to have downloaded the songs I'm listening to on itunes. I have itunes. Kind of ridiculous to think I'm poor.
So much about my future is unknown to me. Where will I be in a year? For all I know, I could be in Wisconsin (seriously).
I really feel like I'm beginning to grow again in my relationship with God. For the past year someone else has been such a vital part of my life. So much so that I put most of my effort into that. When I finally gave it up to God, amazing things started to happen. Mainly, I started to move on.
Now that I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders, I feel content. I'm free to pursue the incredible possibilities God is laying before me without wondering how someone else will fit into the picture. That's not to say I wouldn't like for there to one day be someone else, but for now, I find where I'm at in life to be rather enjoyable.
There's something to be said about simplicity.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
By the River
When I was in divinity school I took a devotional classics class in which we read the book, "Sayings of the Desert Fathers."
A large number of men in the monastic groups were going to the river. For what, I wasn't sure. So many sayings included phrases such as, "I went down to the river one day....."
I finally asked my professor, "Why do all these guys keep going to the river?" I honestly don't remember what my professor said, but I have been thinking about it recently.
Not too long after I moved to Greenville I took a journal and went to a local park, spending some time writing my thoughts and praying.
You know what I realized? I was sitting by a river.
I don't know what it is about bodies of water that invite us to them: rivers, oceans, lakes. Water can be a very serene and peaceful thing, or it can be a vast rush of change, depending on the conditions.
But what I realized from my time by the river is how wonderfully connected we are to all generations of faith. The God who never changes is God of each generation. Just as monks thousands of years ago were drawn to the river, I, too, was drawn to a river of my own in the 21st century.
I like to think how generations of believers are united in our faith and common practices.
And I suppose I will take quite a few more trips to the river.
A large number of men in the monastic groups were going to the river. For what, I wasn't sure. So many sayings included phrases such as, "I went down to the river one day....."
I finally asked my professor, "Why do all these guys keep going to the river?" I honestly don't remember what my professor said, but I have been thinking about it recently.
Not too long after I moved to Greenville I took a journal and went to a local park, spending some time writing my thoughts and praying.
You know what I realized? I was sitting by a river.
I don't know what it is about bodies of water that invite us to them: rivers, oceans, lakes. Water can be a very serene and peaceful thing, or it can be a vast rush of change, depending on the conditions.
But what I realized from my time by the river is how wonderfully connected we are to all generations of faith. The God who never changes is God of each generation. Just as monks thousands of years ago were drawn to the river, I, too, was drawn to a river of my own in the 21st century.
I like to think how generations of believers are united in our faith and common practices.
And I suppose I will take quite a few more trips to the river.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Oh, Golly
Warning: Do not read if you don't want to hear about me being sick!
Alright, so a couple weeks ago was pretty rough. I had gotten off from an on-call at the hospital on a Thursday and drove back to Harnett County. I stopped to get my nails done since I was headed to Ohio that night to be in the wedding of a good friend.
I was driving down a road I had driven tons of times and came to an intersection I have crossed just as many times. I was distracted somehow because I ran the stop sign and that's when I saw the truck. I tried my best to stop, but I didn't have time and I ran into the side of the other vehicle. My little Aveo stopped where it was, but I hit the side of the bed of the truck so the other vehicle went spinning. I sat there thinking, "Did that really just happen?" My car was still running, so I just turned off the ignition.
I sat there in disbelief for a bit and then got out and went to see if the other guy was alright. He asked me the same and then we started making phone calls. The fire department, paramedics, and police arrived. And, thankfully, my mom did too!
Thankfully, the other driver is fine.
By the time the police took the report, I talked to the paramedics, and got stuff out of my car that was going to be towed, I had gotten a really bad sunburn (as is evidenced by the Facebook pictures from the wedding!). And trust me, the wedding guests commented repeatedly that I had gotten too much sun.
My parents knew half the people who responded to the scene and go to church with quite a few of them. They asked my parents how I was that next Sunday. (Although, they may think my parents have the dumb daughter who ran into a vounteer firefighter's car!) While still at the scene, I noticed that I was feeling a little sore, so mom and I went to a local urgent care where they took x-rays. I was exhausted from the on-call and lack of sleep even prior to that, and I almost fell asleep right on the x-ray table! I had a neck spasm (where my neck was straight and I didn't have the natural curve, but the doctor said that would fix itself in time). I got some prescriptions and that night I was off to Ohio with a friend and fellow bridesmaid.
Were that the only thing, the weekend may have been different. However, I had woken up with a slight sore throat that morning. 'No big deal' I figured, but the sore throat began to get worse and worse. It got so bad that the night before the wedding some of us bridesmaids and the bride were gonna go to Starbucks and I decided to stay in the hotel room. If you know me at all, I'm not one to pass up Starbucks!
I had chills and felt horrible. My throat hurt so bad that I started taking the painkillers from the accident for my throat.
The next day a few of us went to get our hair done. Now, I had taken two of the percocets in the past 24 hours and they were knocking me out! I started dozing off in the salon chair and I also began to feel really sick and had to run to the bathroom in case I threw up right there. I'm almost positive the salon staff thought I was hung over. No- just totaled my car and was really sick. I did, however, throw up in the parking lot. I took more painkillers and they knocked me out so bad that I was sitting at a computer and kept dozing off while on Facebook. I laid down in the bed and was texting a friend and kept falling asleep and getting startled when my cell phone made a noise to alert me that a text came through. I was having trouble typing on my phone. Finally I went to sleep!
At the wedding reception I could barely eat the food and I began to feel worse and worse. On the ride home from Ohio to North Carolina I slept for all but an hour or less.
That night I decided that I really did need to go to the emergency room. I got really sick in the parking lot and was on my hands and knees trying to throw up, but I couldn't because I hadn't eaten anything that day for fear of getting sick. After waiting a bit I went back and found out I had a throat infection (the paper said it was acute tonsilitis) and they hooked me up to an IV and gave me steroids and antibiotics. I was hooked up to the IV for over an hour and finally went home with some more prescriptions. Eventually my throat got better.
After two days off of work I began to feel a lot better. My poor little Aveo (which I had named 'The Laura Ingalls') was totaled. The funny thing is, the engine would still run! I asked the man at the collision center if he could get my cd out of the cd player and the car cranked right up!
Since the car was new and still under warranty, I got a good amount for it from the insurance company and it won't take long to pay the rest off.
My health insurance? Well, that turned out to be horrible and I have a giant medical bill, but hey- it could be worse.
So, that's how I totaled my car and got a throat infection at about the same time.
Thankfully, I'm feeling better now!
Alright, so a couple weeks ago was pretty rough. I had gotten off from an on-call at the hospital on a Thursday and drove back to Harnett County. I stopped to get my nails done since I was headed to Ohio that night to be in the wedding of a good friend.
I was driving down a road I had driven tons of times and came to an intersection I have crossed just as many times. I was distracted somehow because I ran the stop sign and that's when I saw the truck. I tried my best to stop, but I didn't have time and I ran into the side of the other vehicle. My little Aveo stopped where it was, but I hit the side of the bed of the truck so the other vehicle went spinning. I sat there thinking, "Did that really just happen?" My car was still running, so I just turned off the ignition.
I sat there in disbelief for a bit and then got out and went to see if the other guy was alright. He asked me the same and then we started making phone calls. The fire department, paramedics, and police arrived. And, thankfully, my mom did too!
Thankfully, the other driver is fine.
By the time the police took the report, I talked to the paramedics, and got stuff out of my car that was going to be towed, I had gotten a really bad sunburn (as is evidenced by the Facebook pictures from the wedding!). And trust me, the wedding guests commented repeatedly that I had gotten too much sun.
My parents knew half the people who responded to the scene and go to church with quite a few of them. They asked my parents how I was that next Sunday. (Although, they may think my parents have the dumb daughter who ran into a vounteer firefighter's car!) While still at the scene, I noticed that I was feeling a little sore, so mom and I went to a local urgent care where they took x-rays. I was exhausted from the on-call and lack of sleep even prior to that, and I almost fell asleep right on the x-ray table! I had a neck spasm (where my neck was straight and I didn't have the natural curve, but the doctor said that would fix itself in time). I got some prescriptions and that night I was off to Ohio with a friend and fellow bridesmaid.
Were that the only thing, the weekend may have been different. However, I had woken up with a slight sore throat that morning. 'No big deal' I figured, but the sore throat began to get worse and worse. It got so bad that the night before the wedding some of us bridesmaids and the bride were gonna go to Starbucks and I decided to stay in the hotel room. If you know me at all, I'm not one to pass up Starbucks!
I had chills and felt horrible. My throat hurt so bad that I started taking the painkillers from the accident for my throat.
The next day a few of us went to get our hair done. Now, I had taken two of the percocets in the past 24 hours and they were knocking me out! I started dozing off in the salon chair and I also began to feel really sick and had to run to the bathroom in case I threw up right there. I'm almost positive the salon staff thought I was hung over. No- just totaled my car and was really sick. I did, however, throw up in the parking lot. I took more painkillers and they knocked me out so bad that I was sitting at a computer and kept dozing off while on Facebook. I laid down in the bed and was texting a friend and kept falling asleep and getting startled when my cell phone made a noise to alert me that a text came through. I was having trouble typing on my phone. Finally I went to sleep!
At the wedding reception I could barely eat the food and I began to feel worse and worse. On the ride home from Ohio to North Carolina I slept for all but an hour or less.
That night I decided that I really did need to go to the emergency room. I got really sick in the parking lot and was on my hands and knees trying to throw up, but I couldn't because I hadn't eaten anything that day for fear of getting sick. After waiting a bit I went back and found out I had a throat infection (the paper said it was acute tonsilitis) and they hooked me up to an IV and gave me steroids and antibiotics. I was hooked up to the IV for over an hour and finally went home with some more prescriptions. Eventually my throat got better.
After two days off of work I began to feel a lot better. My poor little Aveo (which I had named 'The Laura Ingalls') was totaled. The funny thing is, the engine would still run! I asked the man at the collision center if he could get my cd out of the cd player and the car cranked right up!
Since the car was new and still under warranty, I got a good amount for it from the insurance company and it won't take long to pay the rest off.
My health insurance? Well, that turned out to be horrible and I have a giant medical bill, but hey- it could be worse.
So, that's how I totaled my car and got a throat infection at about the same time.
Thankfully, I'm feeling better now!
Monday, May 11, 2009
A Year Already
The Bible talks about not knowing what the future will bring. God knows, but we don't.
The last year of my life- whoa.
It's been a year I was hooded, attended baccalaureate, and walked across the stage at graduation to receive my MDiv. I went through so many emotions and it was such a sacred time. I was taking a job with the Salvation Army and life was gonna move ahead.
Then things changed. The past year has been one of the biggest years for growth that I have ever had. I have experienced so much. The thing is, I didn't expect about 99% of it, and yet God has been faithful.
A look at the past year:
~I started my first "real" career job. I moved into my own apartment. I never struggled with depression but it hit me hard. Financially I couldn't make it, I felt a lack of community, I didn't even want to get up and go to work in the mornings. I moved back home within a month and a half.
~The economy was bad, couldn't get a desk job so I rejoined the Bojangles team I had worked with my last semester of divinity school to pay my unexpected new car bills. Only this time I had my degree and was still working fast food. So many people I knew came through- including the assistant dean of the divinity school who was in my exit interview. Humiliating and yet I found a great deal of fellowship with my co-workers. Suprisingly, I was able to make it fun sometimes.
~I stood as a bridesmaid and watched my only sibling get married.
~I had my first real dating relationship. I fell head over heels for him and watched him walk away. Contrary to what I felt at the time, I survived the heartache.
~I have, at times, felt incredibly far from God and yet have also experienced his faithfulness and renewal in new ways.
~I visited my grandmother in the NICU at WakeMed, having no idea I'd be visiting that unit as a chaplain several months later. As a chaplain I have done things I never thought I'd do and I have loved it.
~I've lost about 37 pounds
~I was offered a great job, then it was taken away. I was incredibly upset. Then something better came along and I have a great job now. I love my co-workers, the management team, and the kids. I'm defintely looking forward to working there this summer without the crazy schedule I've had since I started.
~Speaking of jobs, I was so scared about CPE. No guarentee of a residency, and yet I got one.
~I have been so exhausted that I felt like I could be sick. I have cried to God in my car, expressing how tired and worn out I was. These past few months have been more demanding than any other point in my life.
~I have been impatient and short-tempered with those closest to me. I let my anger get the best of me sometimes and yet I feel these relationships are on the mend.
~I have grown so much in my "real world" (not a huge fan of that phrase) experience and have gotten a better hold of finances, but I still have a long way to go.
You know, as I write these things I realize that a blog cannot capture everything I have experienced, learned, and loved this past year. I have gone from feeling like I ruined my life to thanking God for incredible days. Those reading this may not think these experiences are that big of a deal, but I feel that I have grown so much in the past year.
So, no, I can't capture the past 365 days in a blog post. But trust me, God's mercies are new every morning- even when the morning doesn't seem to come for months.
The last year of my life- whoa.
It's been a year I was hooded, attended baccalaureate, and walked across the stage at graduation to receive my MDiv. I went through so many emotions and it was such a sacred time. I was taking a job with the Salvation Army and life was gonna move ahead.
Then things changed. The past year has been one of the biggest years for growth that I have ever had. I have experienced so much. The thing is, I didn't expect about 99% of it, and yet God has been faithful.
A look at the past year:
~I started my first "real" career job. I moved into my own apartment. I never struggled with depression but it hit me hard. Financially I couldn't make it, I felt a lack of community, I didn't even want to get up and go to work in the mornings. I moved back home within a month and a half.
~The economy was bad, couldn't get a desk job so I rejoined the Bojangles team I had worked with my last semester of divinity school to pay my unexpected new car bills. Only this time I had my degree and was still working fast food. So many people I knew came through- including the assistant dean of the divinity school who was in my exit interview. Humiliating and yet I found a great deal of fellowship with my co-workers. Suprisingly, I was able to make it fun sometimes.
~I stood as a bridesmaid and watched my only sibling get married.
~I had my first real dating relationship. I fell head over heels for him and watched him walk away. Contrary to what I felt at the time, I survived the heartache.
~I have, at times, felt incredibly far from God and yet have also experienced his faithfulness and renewal in new ways.
~I visited my grandmother in the NICU at WakeMed, having no idea I'd be visiting that unit as a chaplain several months later. As a chaplain I have done things I never thought I'd do and I have loved it.
~I've lost about 37 pounds
~I was offered a great job, then it was taken away. I was incredibly upset. Then something better came along and I have a great job now. I love my co-workers, the management team, and the kids. I'm defintely looking forward to working there this summer without the crazy schedule I've had since I started.
~Speaking of jobs, I was so scared about CPE. No guarentee of a residency, and yet I got one.
~I have been so exhausted that I felt like I could be sick. I have cried to God in my car, expressing how tired and worn out I was. These past few months have been more demanding than any other point in my life.
~I have been impatient and short-tempered with those closest to me. I let my anger get the best of me sometimes and yet I feel these relationships are on the mend.
~I have grown so much in my "real world" (not a huge fan of that phrase) experience and have gotten a better hold of finances, but I still have a long way to go.
You know, as I write these things I realize that a blog cannot capture everything I have experienced, learned, and loved this past year. I have gone from feeling like I ruined my life to thanking God for incredible days. Those reading this may not think these experiences are that big of a deal, but I feel that I have grown so much in the past year.
So, no, I can't capture the past 365 days in a blog post. But trust me, God's mercies are new every morning- even when the morning doesn't seem to come for months.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Looking Forward
When I was in seminary I went to a lecture taught by one of my professors on the theology found in U2's songs, particularly the doctrine of unrealized eschatology. Using U2's song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" he explained the concept of "not quite yet." Although we have the promise of God, we do not fully experience all that God is until the perfection of heaven. For now, we are limited in what we see and know, but we have the promise of experiencing the fullness of God one day.
On a much, much smaller and less significant scale I have been able to apply this to other areas of my life. I was there, vacuum-sweeping the floor of Bojangles and even as my career seemed hopeless, there were those moments of hope and expectation when I knew something better was coming. I can also recount the agonizing days of heartbreak from a broken relationship. While it often felt as if my heart would never heal, there were those moments of hope and excitement in which I could actually anticipate moving on. In the same way, I live this life with the hope and expectation of the day when my relationship with God is a fully realized reality.
I have found the past year of my life to be very difficult. If 2008 was the year of humbling, 2009 is the year of restoration.
I think how in the midst of severe pain and frustration I had moments of hoping toward something better in terms of my professional and personal life. If that be the case, how stronger the hope of unrealized eschatology in my spiritual life. I don't always "feel" God beside me. And I have learned that is ok. I don't have to "feel" to know. And when I don't feel as if he's close, I remind myself that my experience of God is somewhat limited for now and the full reality of his presence is still to come.
So, just as I looked toward the days of the realization of hope in other areas of my life, I look toward the day of the full realization of my spiritual hope. Because if there is one thing I've learned lately, it's that my relationship with God must dictate who I am and what I choose to do.
Not experiencing fullness now is often very difficult. But, faith that keeps us pressing towards what we will experience fully one day is faith worth sustaining.
On a much, much smaller and less significant scale I have been able to apply this to other areas of my life. I was there, vacuum-sweeping the floor of Bojangles and even as my career seemed hopeless, there were those moments of hope and expectation when I knew something better was coming. I can also recount the agonizing days of heartbreak from a broken relationship. While it often felt as if my heart would never heal, there were those moments of hope and excitement in which I could actually anticipate moving on. In the same way, I live this life with the hope and expectation of the day when my relationship with God is a fully realized reality.
I have found the past year of my life to be very difficult. If 2008 was the year of humbling, 2009 is the year of restoration.
I think how in the midst of severe pain and frustration I had moments of hoping toward something better in terms of my professional and personal life. If that be the case, how stronger the hope of unrealized eschatology in my spiritual life. I don't always "feel" God beside me. And I have learned that is ok. I don't have to "feel" to know. And when I don't feel as if he's close, I remind myself that my experience of God is somewhat limited for now and the full reality of his presence is still to come.
So, just as I looked toward the days of the realization of hope in other areas of my life, I look toward the day of the full realization of my spiritual hope. Because if there is one thing I've learned lately, it's that my relationship with God must dictate who I am and what I choose to do.
Not experiencing fullness now is often very difficult. But, faith that keeps us pressing towards what we will experience fully one day is faith worth sustaining.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Love
Over the past couple months I have thought a lot about love. Not just romantic love, but the love we have for our family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
My thoughts took me back to 1 Corinthians 13. Often read at weddings, this is the "love passage." This passage gives a long list of love's attributes. Although I had read it many times, I found myself wondering if Paul mentioned anywhere in the passage that love is easy.
So, I got out my Bible and took a look. Nope, nowhere in the entire chapter does Paul say love is simple or easy. So, how does Paul describe love?
The first adjective he uses is patient. Oh, great. I am not a patient person at all, just take a look at my driving. I imagine patience is a hard thing for most people in our "I want it now" society. There you go, one adjective in and it's already a struggle. Paul then goes on to list other things love is and some of them seem incredibly difficult. Love isn't easily angered? Hmmm.....again, back to that driving history.
I also got to thinking about love for self. If we are to love others as we love ourselves, we have to know how to love ourselves in a healthy way. So, when Paul tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs, what does that mean for forgiving ourselves? I believe we should always learn from our mistakes, but if love means not keeping a record of wrongs and we need to love ourselves so we can love others in the same way, we have to come to the point where we can forgive ourselves. Then we can forgive others and, in love, keep no record of their wrongs just as we have done with ourselves.
And yet, to demonstrate the love Paul describes seems incredibly difficult, even as a Christian. So, how do we even begin to live this love? I think it goes back to the message in Philippians 2:5. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Our attitude determines so much of how we live our lives. Our attitude affects our hearts and our minds. It makes or breaks our day. It can restore or destroy our relationships. When we think of surrending our entire hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to Christ, we must also consider attitude.
Yes, the love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 is the natural nature of God. Yet, Paul knew enough not to say it was natural for humans. The only way to even begin to live a life of this love is to focus on making our attitude the same as Christ Jesus.
In focusing on Jesus Christ as the example of what our attitude should be, we cease to look at ourselves and our seemingly lack of capacity to achieve this kind of love, and instead focus on our Savior. Then, when we are focusing on him, we find that love becomes more natural. Focusing on Christ is the only way to acheive a 1 Corinthians 13 love.
May we live a life of love every day.
My thoughts took me back to 1 Corinthians 13. Often read at weddings, this is the "love passage." This passage gives a long list of love's attributes. Although I had read it many times, I found myself wondering if Paul mentioned anywhere in the passage that love is easy.
So, I got out my Bible and took a look. Nope, nowhere in the entire chapter does Paul say love is simple or easy. So, how does Paul describe love?
The first adjective he uses is patient. Oh, great. I am not a patient person at all, just take a look at my driving. I imagine patience is a hard thing for most people in our "I want it now" society. There you go, one adjective in and it's already a struggle. Paul then goes on to list other things love is and some of them seem incredibly difficult. Love isn't easily angered? Hmmm.....again, back to that driving history.
I also got to thinking about love for self. If we are to love others as we love ourselves, we have to know how to love ourselves in a healthy way. So, when Paul tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs, what does that mean for forgiving ourselves? I believe we should always learn from our mistakes, but if love means not keeping a record of wrongs and we need to love ourselves so we can love others in the same way, we have to come to the point where we can forgive ourselves. Then we can forgive others and, in love, keep no record of their wrongs just as we have done with ourselves.
And yet, to demonstrate the love Paul describes seems incredibly difficult, even as a Christian. So, how do we even begin to live this love? I think it goes back to the message in Philippians 2:5. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Our attitude determines so much of how we live our lives. Our attitude affects our hearts and our minds. It makes or breaks our day. It can restore or destroy our relationships. When we think of surrending our entire hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to Christ, we must also consider attitude.
Yes, the love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 is the natural nature of God. Yet, Paul knew enough not to say it was natural for humans. The only way to even begin to live a life of this love is to focus on making our attitude the same as Christ Jesus.
In focusing on Jesus Christ as the example of what our attitude should be, we cease to look at ourselves and our seemingly lack of capacity to achieve this kind of love, and instead focus on our Savior. Then, when we are focusing on him, we find that love becomes more natural. Focusing on Christ is the only way to acheive a 1 Corinthians 13 love.
May we live a life of love every day.
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