A tombstone shows the day we are born and the day we die. But it is the days in-between that matter the most.
Reading 1 Cor 12:4-5 (NIV), where Paul says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
Then he goes on to to describe how the body of Christ works together, each of us doing our part. This can stir many of us to wonder, "what is my part, where do I fit in?"
I have to admit, through the years I have often wondered the same thing. We long to have a life of purpose, to know that the days in-between the time we were born and the day we leave this earth will matter.
But after this discourse Paul says something interesting. He says, "And yet I will show you the most excellent way." (vv 31) going on to describe love in one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible. 1 Cor 13 is known as the love chapter, often quoted at weddings.
But why would that chapter come after the talk about the body of Christ fitting together?
I think it's because we can pursue our destiny and purpose with selfish motives and miss the whole point. Paul is warning us here that we can do great things with our days, but still live a meaningless life without love.
Maybe rather than focusing on "why am I here?" we should focus on, "how can I better show love to those around me?"
Maybe the two go hand-in-hand.
