“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

During World War I, Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British soldier assigned to help mobilize the Arab revolt against the Turkish Empire. In 1915, as Lawrence was crossing the Arabian Desert with some Arabs, they rode with their hoods covering their heads for protection from the wind and the sand. Their supplies were low and they were rationing water when one Arab noticed an empty camel. “Where is Jasmin?” He asked. “Who is Jasmin?” Asked another. “Jasmin is a yellow-faced man from Mann. He killed a Turkish tax collector and fled into the desert” replied the first. It soon became evident that Jasmin had fainted because of the heat and had fallen from his camel. Finally, one Arab said: “What does it matter? Jasmin was not worth half a crown. ” So the caravan pressed on. But Lawrence turned around and rode back into the desert’s blazing heat. After an hour and a half, he found Jasmin delirious and wandering in the sand. Lawrence shared with him the last of his water and put him on his own camel. That night when Lawrence caught up with caravan, the men were stunned that he had risked his life to save Jasmin.

Love is action. It means taking a risk to help another. Of all the fruits of the Spirit, love is the greatest virtue. Do you love those people the Lord has placed in your life? Today in prayer, thank Christ that He is love and that the greatest example of love is His dying on the Cross for you.

“There are more people who wish to be loved than there are willing to love.” – S.R.N. Chamfort

God’s Word: “Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 1999, pkennedy@devotional.com