Putting Into Practice: Righteousness - Illustration

Imagine a small community garden, where each person has a plot to tend. It’s a place where the fragrance of fresh earth mingles with the laughter of children playing nearby. Every gardener brings their unique seeds, whether it's tomatoes, sunflowers, or herbs. As the plants grow, the gardeners are not just tending to their individual plots; they are cultivating a shared space of abundance, learning to rely on one another when weeds threaten to choke their efforts.

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul reveals a picture of love that is patient and kind, a love that doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. This is not merely an ideal but a practical call to action within our community. When we embody this kind of love, we become like those gardeners—investing in each other’s growth. We serve one another, not just in times of need but in everyday interactions, choosing to see the flourishing potential in one another.

Ask yourself, how can you tend to the garden of our community? Is there someone who needs encouragement to pull out the weeds of doubt? Maybe it’s a neighbor who’s struggling, or a friend who feels isolated. Reflect on Paul’s words: love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Let us gather in prayer, asking God for guidance on how to serve one another with righteousness, sowing seeds of compassion and hope, cultivating a community that thrives together. When we commit to this divine love, we experience true spiritual growth, and our community transforms into a vibrant testament of God’s grace.