Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to gather with 89 women from the North Texas area at Disciples Crossing Campgrounds in Athens, Texas for their annual spiritual retreat. Over the course of our three days together, we explored the beautiful, challenging, and transformative words of 1 Corinthians 13:4–8. This familiar passage guided us through a deeper understanding of love—not as a feeling alone, but as a way of living. And if there is one truth that has echoed through each message, it is this: What’s love got to do with it? Everything.
We began by grounding ourselves in the simple yet profound declaration: Love is patient. Love is kind. These are not passive qualities. Patience requires us to slow down in a world that pushes us to rush. Kindness calls us to act, to see others fully, and to respond with compassion. We were reminded that love shows up in everyday moments—in traffic, in conversations, in the quiet choices no one else sees. Love is not grand only in big gestures; it is faithful in the small ones.
From there, we turned to the harder truths: Love does not envy or boast. These words invited us to examine what we carry—comparison, pride, insecurity—and how those burdens shape our relationships. Through the simple yet powerful act of placing stones into a flowing fountain, we named the things we often hold onto without realizing it. In releasing them, we made space for a love that celebrates others rather than competes, a love that reflects humility instead of self-promotion.
Finally, we expanded our understanding of love through the lens of “EVERYTHING.” Each letter became a reminder that love is not limited or occasional—it is expansive and all-encompassing. Love is present in every interaction, every decision, every opportunity to reflect Christ in the world. It calls us to be intentional, to embody grace, to extend forgiveness, and to remain steadfast even when it is difficult.
And at the heart of it all is this promise: Love never ends.
In a world that often feels uncertain, divided, and weary, this truth anchors us. Love is what connects us to God and to one another. It is what sustains us when hope feels distant. It is what transforms ordinary moments into sacred ones.
We were challenged to continue to ask ourselves – not just in church, but in every space we enter: What’s love got to do with this moment? And so, I challenge each of us to do the same.
And may our answer always be the same: Everything.
Shalom,
Pastor Heidi
