A Love That Never Fails

Sorry in advanced for the long post. If you hate reading, like me, you can skip ahead to the beautiful pictures I'm about to post. Cheers!

Over the past few weeks I've spent a lot of time looking at my friends pictures as they travel to countries where tiny shirtless children are playing in the streets and giving hugs to them (my friends). I honestly can't help but to feel a little bit of jealousy build up inside of me. My heart longs for countries where hospitality and a sense of love are more freely expressed than materialism. Unfortunately, I find myself in a place where it could not be any more opposite of that. Before I start, though, I do need to mention that the missionaries and Student Life students have been incredible, and we are very blessed to work along side of them.

This last week, we've spent about 20 hours on campus initiating conversations with various students. More than half of the students we initiate with are not interested. And from there, it's very hard to get into a conversation where the person is willing to ask further questions or show any enthusiasm. I've had many awesome conversations with people and shared the gospel with most of them, but I've realized something very terrible... Often, I don't truly have a heart for them. I have no love for them. 

I had never had this problem before while doing evangelism. I first started noticing this problem when I sat down with a guy earlier this week and went through perspective cards with him. His answers were apathetic, and he could hardly care less about about the conversation. I honestly don't know why he would even take it. Instead of showing compassion though I answered his apathy with a bit of my own. Eventually, that became my attitude. After having a good discussion with Jon, I realized that it was going to have to be something that I relied on God to do for me. I can't force myself to love people... That's not really genuine love anyway. I can, however, do a couple other things: I can let God love through me, or just allow him to work on my heart for others. 

A couple of days ago, I was outreaching at RMIT (University). Before I started any conversations, I prayed that the Lord would allow me to connect with the students I talk to, and if not, that I would love them regardless. The first student I talked to was named Francis. He happened to be a Filipino accounting student. For those of you who may not already know, I studied 3 years of accounting and I'm part Filipino as well. BAM! Anyways, it was awesome and we had a great conversation.


It was not hard to have some compassion for Francis. We shared some pretty awesome things, other than the fact that I dropped accounting like a rock. More importantly, my heart was changing through each and every conversation as I began to care for students I talked to more and more.


And even more important than the last more important is the fact that we are only here for a short time. Relationships tend to take a while to form and thankfully our friendships with them are not nearly as the ones that they'll potentially make with the SL students on those campuses. 

As for myself, I need to learn to grow in my love for others regardless of the situation or person. 

I need to begin to form a love that is relentless. 

A love that is patient and kind. 

A love that protects, hopes, and preserves. 

A love that never fails. 

(Compliments of 1 Corinthians 13)

1st picture is of Melbourne Central. All the others taken are the mountain we climbed earlier today