God's Humble Love

Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NKJV

Love does not parade itself. Other translations say love does not boast or love is not boastful, but I like the image I get from the NKJV. Love doesn’t make a show of what’s been done; love doesn’t say, “Look at me, aren’t I great!” Love just does what needs to be done without drawing attention to itself.

Have you ever had someone do something that seemed huge just to bless you? I’ve been fortunate to be blessed that way. Meals have shown up unexpectedly when I’m not feeling well; a card and a rose appeared in my mailbox one Valentine’s Day. Sometimes, these blessings are anonymous. When I’ve been able to thank those who’ve given these gifts, they often downplay their actions. They weren’t doing it to be noticed; they just wanted to do something to let me know I’m loved.

Being puffed up or proud is very much connected to parading myself. The phrase “is puffed up” has “bear oneself loftily” as one of its meanings. To be proud is to consider myself above others in some way. This is the opposite of love, which puts other people first in all things. Love is humble.

Jesus is our perfect example of love and humility. He hung out with the poor and unloved. He didn’t think Himself above eating with tax collectors and sinners. He washed His disciples’ feet (a job for the lowest servant). He gave up His place in heaven so that He could pay the death penalty for my sin.

I need to follow Jesus’ example and walk humbly before my God.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross. - Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV

He has shown you, O man, what [is] good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8 NKJV

Think About: How have you experienced the quiet, humble love of God?