Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:1. What is the way of love? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Proverbs 3:21-22.

It matters who we listen to. In 2 Samuel 10 a king of the Ammonites has died and his son Hanun succeeds him. David sends a delegation to express his sympathy. Hanun listens to his commanders who speak against the delegation and they dishonor the men and send them back to David. I can’t help but think about missed opportunity. What if Hanun had welcomed the delegation in the spirit in which they were sent? What could the relations have been not just for that time but for succeeding generations? A father dies, a country sends a delegation in sympathy and support; how could that not improve relations between two countries?

When the Ammonites realized they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Arabian foot soldiers from Beth Rehab and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob. v. 6. All from bad advice. David and the Israelite army prevail.

One chapter in Scripture and yet look at the repercussions for the people living then. Missed opportunities. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit.

Last night we watched a Nova episode: Your brain: Perception Deception. It was fascinating as it showed what scientists are learning about how our brain interprets the world around us through stimuli received visually. My conclusion was that we kind of live in our own little worlds based upon how our brains interpret overwhelming visual stimuli. We see and hear differently; remember the dress on social media that everyone saw differently…blue with black/ white with gold?

God tells me to cling to what I know to be true. God is love. He is my Redeemer. He is here for me always. His Will will be done for the good for everyone. The way of Love. Opportunity.