never fails

years ago, that has been the most fertile and sacred ground. Here I have witnessed the many miracles of transformation and experienced the reciprocity of unconditional love. Our neighbors in need and our volunteers come from all walks of life and differing beliefs yet they grace us with their friendship, gratitude, and powerful witnessing, reminding us that people, much more than things, must be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; but never thrown away, because we have always known, there are no throwaways!

Church, as I have come to know, has little to do with fundraising, attendance numbers, ministry programs, art exhibits, book signings, building projects, padded pews, or social events and everything to do with loving, serving, feeding the hungry and getting dirty with dignity, no matter how tired or weary one grows.

Being church, temple, mosque, synagogue, monastery, even if it be on the Ganges River or high in the Himalayas, means answering God’s call wherever and whenever. Just as we all desire to nourish our body with what we believe is best, we must also have the freedom to choose, without persecution, what nourishes our soul. Personally, for me, Jesus is the Way. In John 21:17 He asked three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.” Jesus also asks me every day, “Do you love me?” He knows I do! Yet, He asks me every day so I can hear those very same words, Feed my sheep! 1 Corinthians 13:8-10,13 reminds us, “Love never fails. Prophecies will cease; tongues will be stilled; knowledge will pass away. For we know in part and prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” If you seek love yet find yourself holding onto anger, don’t work through your anger, give it up! See who you can be when you’re finished with being who you think you are and realize you are love. Oppose, stand up, stop unjust actions, and do what must be done but never close your heart. Speak truth, Love everybody, Feed everybody, see God in everybody and don’t try to make sense of it. Then you too can experience a joy where your cup overflows because Love never fails!