1 Corinthians 13:13

Now abide faith, hope and love, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

Each of these is a choice:

• Faith: choosing to trust now, being focused on the present rather than anchored in the past and revisiting mistakes...faith involves trusting and a willingness to step forward, choosing to take that chance even if what is next cannot yet be seen, it operates in life by selectively holding onto what is needed and letting go of the rest, where the trust is placed determines the source of the strength provided and is choice to believe rather than disbelieve, to step rather than stand still and to hold hands rather then clench fists

• Hope: choosing the future yet to be realized, it is allowing that unrealized future to be the anchor that draws you continually onward, a rope that is gripped to in order to be pulled upward out the well of despair, much like Jeremiah out of the cistern, it is that which points forward and draws the eyes from dwelling on what was but straining towards what is not yet

• Love: the greatest for a reason, in choosing love, we choose to be patient and kind, we choose to forgive rather than choosing revenge, we choose to celebrate successes rather than batter with past mistakes, we choose to encourage rather than cast doubt, we choose to live out faith and hope as gifts to be given away, without them we sail lost and confused, when we choose love, we choose healing and wholeness, an opportunity for growth and connectedness, we redefine intimacy on our own terms and we freely give away a gift of peace no matter the storm being faced, love is the binding and threading, the purposing of faith and hope, it shapes the future with the expectation not founded in the past, but free of the disease of regret and inoculated against condemnation, it is the fire that burns bright making it okay to have in that which we do not yet see and to hope in that which has not yet fully come to be

This is not about emotions which come and go and can change with wind, this is not about popular opinion or instant gratification, it is not about brownies, puppies or warm fuzzies

It is about making the choice even if the evidence tells you not to, it is answering the higher calling and allowing inspiration to flow from God through the spirit and well up inside so that grace and mercy are able to join in the dance and peace is given away, a peace that flows out of the peace that surpasses all understanding, it is to choose as He chose, to choose love for others, faith in Him and a hope in the future He has promised no matter what yesterday tells you.