Love as a Roof

"[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." - 1 Corinthians 13:7

In the 1990s we had new roofing material installed over the existing roof.  When leaks started to appear 20 years later we had to have both layers removed and new roofing material installed.  In today's Discover the Word program Ann Voskamp uses the Greek word "stego" to show us that "Theology that is not encased in skin is stillborn."  She gives an example of how we must get scripture from our heads to our hands so that we are actually living it.

Ann used the verse from 1 Corinthians 13:7 ("Love bears all things...)--as an example.   She went to the Greek to get a better understanding of what the word "bears" meant.  In this instance "bears" means to cover closely (so as to keep water out)."  She said love is like the roof over your house which protects you from the rain and other elements.   She went on to talk about how Jesus used parables to teach the meaning of His words.  He used real-life scenarios so that people would understand how they were to apply His words.  So, the next time you are called to love someone, think of the roof over your house that protects you from the elements.  "How can I be a safe place for others?" is the question Ann asks.

Ann goes on to point out that in Christ we are safe to be real.  It is there that we can receive His loving care in our brokenness and can then be enabled to go out into the world and help others.

I am grateful for my physical home with its solid roofing.  But even more so, I am grateful for my home in Christ where I can receive not only protection from the cares of the world, but can be enabled to reach out to others and live the Gospel.