Over the past month we heard a lot of noise being made. I am sure that timeline can be extended to way before last month, but let’s not overwhelm ourselves. The noise we heard took on the form of opinions made through blogs, social media, some news reports, and even some sermons. What made them particularly noisy was the fact that they were void of love. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This passage, though heard most often at a wedding, is not referring to romantic love. It is referring to the type of love that is committed, self-sacrificing, and humble at its core. Paul, who is the author of this verse, is telling the people in the church of Corinth that you can have the smoothest tongue and speak the language of the angels, but that simply does not matter and is no better than the noise that comes from a gong or cymbal. The gong and cymbal are very large and very noisy instruments. They had to be, because they often were used to notify an entire town of a town meeting, approaching royalty, or an approaching army. But in the case of speaking without love, they are simply instruments being banged on by a child with no understanding or care for their created purpose.
This month, we celebrate romantic love. Some say they don’t like Valentine’s Day because we should be loving one another all year long. It is simply a day for stores to make money. I’m ok with that. I think love should be celebrated all year long, but why not make a particularly big deal about it on a certain day of the year? Remember how often the Israelites forgot that which was incredibly good and how often they had to be reminded of God’s faithfulness? Well, sometimes you and I need that reminder too. However, this year for Valentine’s Day (and beyond), I challenge us to make more than just noise—to love deeper than romance can afford us. I challenge us to offer opinions, write blogs, or post on social media in a way that people can hear because it is full of love. There is no use in being right if the other person stopped listening because there was no love in your communication.
As part of this challenge, I would like to offer you an opportunity to be filled up with something good that will help you know and remember what it means to love. That something good is the life and stories of Jesus. This year, we will be hosting a church-wide study on “John: The Gospel of Light and Life” as written by Adam Hamilton. We will offer groups at varying times so you can find a group that is convenient for you. The kids and youth will be learning about it, and I will be preaching on it. You can find more details about those times here and in this newsletter. Let’s immerse ourselves in the one who truly knew what it meant to do all things with love. Do not miss this opportunity to be more than just noise.
From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman
Photo by Londo Mollari