April 25

Love much

“Ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9).
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another” (Rom. 13:8).

To love is better, nobler, more elevating, and more sure, than to be loved. To love is to have found that which lifts us above ourselves; which makes us capable of sacrifice; which unseals the forces of another world. He who is loved has gained the highest tribute of earth; he who loves has entered into the spirit of Heaven. The love which comes to us must always be alloyed with the sad sense of our own unworthiness. The love which goes out from us is kept bright by the ideal to which it is directed.
—Bishop Westcott.
Every year I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence which will risk nothing, and which, shirking pain, misses happiness as well.
—Mary Cholmondeley.

Love much. Earth has enough bitter in it.
Cast sweets into its cup whene’er you can.
No heart so hard, but love at last will win it;
Love is the grand primeval cause of man.
All hate is foreign to the first great plan.

Love much. Your heart will be led out to slaughter
On altars built on envy and deceit.
Love on, love on! ’Tis bread upon the water;
It will be cast in loaves yet at your feet.
Unleavened manna, most divinely sweet.

Love much. Your faith will be dethroned and shaken,
Your trust betrayed by many a fair, false lure.
Remount your faith, and let new trusts awaken,
Though clouds obscure them, yet the stars are pure;
Love is a vital force and must endure.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

Read full article...