Out of Order

When something is out of order, it does not necessarily mean that it stops working all together. We can still function in some areas, even in a state of diminished capacity; but, we will not be able to fully serve others.

When love is “out of order” we see the same effect.

 It tends to take and expect from others,

because it falsely concludes that its own brokenness and lack,

is due to others.

We can fail to see,

 that TRUE LOVE,

is a Person.

The difference between 
full capacity to serve
 and incapacity 
is a matter of focus.

 Are we are seeing people as our problem

or the person of Jesus as our help?

When the psalmist was fixed upon the problem he cried out "ALL men are liars!" 

When his eyes were fixed on the answer 

his words were 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation,

 whom then shall I fear -

 the Lord is the strength of my life!"

Attempts at love always fail

 when SELF is exalted.

Love never fails,

 when Christ is lifted up.

We know love is in order, 

running at full capacity, 

when it displays

the following fruits:

It endures long and

 is patient and kind.

It never is envious 

nor boils over with jealousy.

It is not boastful 

or haughty or prideful.

It is not rude (unmannerly)

 or acting unbecomingly.

It does not insist

 on its own rights,

 for it takes no account

 of evil done to it,

 pays no attention

 to a suffered wrong.

It bears up under

 any thing 

and every thing that comes, 

is ever ready to believe 

the best of ever person,

Its hopes are fade-less

 under all circumstances

 and it endures everything

 (without weakening)

...1 Cor. 13 (Ampl.)

When our “out of order” love,

 is exchanged, for His unfailing love, 

He never fails.

His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who brings His presence back into our focus and restores our capacity to live through Him.

May our Lord's sweet hand square us and hammer us, and strike off all kinds of pride, self-love, world-worship, and infidelity, so that He can make us stones and pillars in His Father's house. ~Samuel Rutherford

"The principles of gain through loss, of joy through sorrow, of getting by giving, of fulfillment by laying down, of life out of death is what the Book teaches, and the people who have believe it enough to live it out in simple, humble, day-by-day practice are people who have found the gain, the joy, the getting, the fulfillment, the life." ~Elisabeth Elliot