So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
-1 Corinthians 13:13
Although I didn't realize it was from the Bible at the time, I first read this quotation perhaps a week ago in what has become one of my favorite books, Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. A few days later, I was reading my Bible - 1 Corinthians 13 - and chanced upon it again.
When I did, I felt a sort of connection to these words. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it was because the words rolled off my tongue, like lovely poetry. Maybe because it's a verse that rings true.
And while I wasn't planning on doing a one word for 2011, I realized that this verse held the one word I need to keep in mind this new year:
Love.
I need to love this year more than ever. Love my family. Love God. Love my friends. My enemies. Myself. People I don't know now and won't ever. The people I do know, as much as I dislike some of them. Those in need of help, and those who aren't. I need to bring an open heart into every encounter so that I may be free to love as Jesus loves, without prejudice or profiling.
This year, I need to love.
