love

Right now, I feel like the epitomy of the word "trial". Somehow, I feel unready for all these things happening right now.
Although things seem a little better, what with Sunday's discussion, the fact remains that the two are still fuming mad.
Adults, can be really childish at times. A slip of the tongue, the refusal to see the others' point of view. No wonder there are so many quarrels in this world. What about rationality? What about processing before the output? These things never seem to matter when tension is high and emotions run dry.
The matter isn't just that simple. It's on the brink of becoming a holy war, between those who are and those who aren't.
I still feel pain in their misunderstanding and lack of understanding. Its not so much because of them mistaking our pure intentions for malice, but the fact that they are seeing but not understanding, hearing but not listening. And the fear that they may carry this anger toward the people of the kingdom until the coming. Will they ever be saved? Will she ever be saved?

In desparation, i searched the Holy book once more and it seemed to land on a familiar passage:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

and also in verse 12 and 13

Now we see things as imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All I know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely. Three things will last forever-faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love.

(New Living Translation)

Few lessons.
1. There are some things that I know are real and I know the truth. In love, I do not withhold the truth yet there are times in order to love more, I have to restrain from doing what I want, no matter how painful it is. That is love.

2. Love should be the basis for everything I do, be it restraint, be it sacrifice. Be it forgiveness. All done in honesty and truth. For that is where life is. Put your indignance aside, humble yourself. For that is what I'm called to do and so that they will know the one true God. That is love.

3. Love endures through every circumstance. Although it seems bleak, but never give up on them, never give up. That is love.

When it first happened, I asked God why. But I now know that He has a plan. And that plan is slowly unfolding right in front of my eyes. Indeed, my human perspective is so constrained that I can't see the whole picture, but only bits and pieces. The trick is trusting in the perfect plans of the Maker of heaven and earth.
The reason why there are trials, I think I've known it all along. In suffering, one bears fruit as he endures through it all, being moulded into Christlikeness. In suffering, we see the faithfulness of our Saviour, who pulls us out at the right time. In suffering, we see the glory of God, who works out the good for all those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.

That is Love.