Dear Ones,
To return again to the thought of our protective panoply, I’d like to repeat the closing verse of my second last letter:
“…Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of FAITH and LOVE,” (protecting the lungs and heart) “and for an helmet, the HOPE of salvation.” (protecting the mind) (1 Thess. 5:8)
This verse ties together so beautifully the three abiding entities referred to in Paul’s Love chapter, which are Faith, Hope, and Love, and relates them to very essential components of our panoply.
There are three lessons I would write, three words as with a golden pen,
In tracings of eternal light, upon the hearts of men.
HAVE FAITH. Where’er your bark is driven – the calm’s disport, the tempest’s mirth -
Know this: God rules the host of heaven, the inhabitants of earth.
HAVE HOPE. Though clouds enshroud you round, and Gladness hides her face in scorn,
Just put the shadows from your brow – no night but has its morn..
HAVE LOVE. Not human love alone, but God’s own love your heart to fill And flow out, like the circling sun, o’er every vale and hill.
Thus grave these words upon your soul – FAITH, HOPE and LOVE – and you shall find
STRENGTH when life’s surges maddest roll, LIGHT when you else were blind. Johann von Schiller (1759-1805) “And NOW – ABIDES — FAITH — HOPE — LOVE — these three;
But the greatest of these is LOVE.” (1 Cor. 13:13)Paul then follows this profound statement with the admonition to “pursue Love” or, as Weymouth puts it, “Be eager in your pursuit of this Love” Another translation says, “Make Love your aim.”
Make LOVE your aim – your highest goal;
The greatest questing of your soul!REACH UP – until God’s Love you know;
Until you’re filled – and overflow!REACH OUT – until that Love is spread
To all around, and to self, dead!PRESS ON! Stretch forth to lay hold on
The victory that Christ has won!The victory that Christ has won
To give you Life – make you His son!His son and heir to rule and reign;
His plan for you? His goal to gain!FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE – these three remain;
Love’s the greatest; MAKE IT YOUR AIM!FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE – these three abide
Until the earth is covered wide
With all the glory of the Lord,
And the whole world is one accord!God will be all, and all in God;
Creation all His love applaud!Eulene Hope Moores
SO…”WALK — IN LOVE — EVEN AS — CHRIST LOVED YOU — and GAVE HIMSELF UP TO DEATH — ON YOUR BEHALF — as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a fragrant scent.” (Eph. 5)
In Agape, Eulene
“Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peaced in the believing, that you may abound in Hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13)
