Tag: 1 Corinthians 13

Face to Face

A remarkable event occurred recently at a wedding in England. The bridegroom, a very wealthy young man of high social standing, had been blinded by an accident at the age of ten. In spite of his blindness, he had graduated from the university with honors and had now won the heart of his beautiful bride, although he had never looked upon her face. Shortly before his marriage he underwent a new round of treatments by specialists, and the result was ready to be revealed on the day of his wedding.

The big day arrived, with all the guests and their presents. In attendance were cabinet ministers, generals, bishops, and learned men and women. The groom, dressed for the wedding but with his eyes still covered by bandages, rode to the church with his father. His famous ophthalmologist met them in the vestry of the church.

The bride entered the church on the arm of her white-haired father. She was so moved, she could hardly speak. Would the man she loved finally see her face – a face others admired but he knew only through the touch of his delicate fingertips?

As she neared the altar, while the soft strains of the wedding march floated through the church, she saw an unusual group. There before her stood the groom, his father, and the doctor. The doctor was in the process of cutting away the last bandage.

Once the bandage was removed, the groom took a step forward, yet with the trembling uncertainty of someone who is not completely awake. A beam of rose-colored light from a pane in the window above the altar fell across his face, but he did not seem to see it.

Could he see anything? Yes! Recovering in an instant his steadiness and demeanor, and with a dignity and joy never before seen on his face, he stepped forward to meet his bride. They looked into each other’s eyes, and it seemed as if his gaze would never wander from her face.

“At last!” she said. “At last,” he echoed solemnly, bowing his head. It was a scene with great dramatic power, as well as one of great joy.

Yet as beautiful as this story is, it is but a mere suggestion of what will actually take place in heaven when Christians, who have been walking through this world of trial and sorrow, “shall see [HIM] face to face” (1 Corinthians 13.12).

~ taken from Streams in the Desert, by L. B. Cowman, March 27th entry

Photo Credit: Ibrahim Asad

Loving Yourself and Loving Others

“[Love] it is not self-seeking…” – 1 Corinthinans 13:5

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Mark 12:30-31

Do you ever feel like there is a conflict between loving yourself and loving others? I have found that in my own life, sometimes I get a little confused about this issue. Maybe I am thinking too much about it (which I often do), but when certain situations come up, I can become perplexed about what to do!

For example, imagine that someone asks you to do something for them, but it would really not be beneficial for you or for your own health and well-being. What do you do? Do you act in “selfless love” by complying with the other person’s request, or do you take care of yourself by saying “no” to their request? I truly don’t know the answer to this question!

What does everyone think? Have you ever been in a situation like this before? What did you do and/or how did you handle it?

Photo Credit: Margot Pandone