I Corinthians 13:8-9 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

We sat in our hotel room next to Reagan National Airport watching the election returns last Tuesday. As the night went on, our network broke to ecstatic crowds of people celebrating the likely outcome. Other groups, however, were dejected – with some among them even crying. The above verse came to mind as we watched the night unfold.

Paul’s famous 13th chapter on love felt very reassuring to me. It reminded me of just how temporary all of life really is. Governments, political rulers, philosophies, cultural trends … they all cease to be at some point. And then other leaders, ideologies, and movements replace them. But love remains over all.

I don’t mean to minimize an election, especially a presidential one, but it does us all well to remember the work which Jesus calls us to do. Serving the needy among us, sharing the love of Jesus with those we encounter, reaching out to those who have experienced loss or addiction, standing up for justice … and the list goes on!  I find comfort in refocusing my attention in that direction.

The life of a servant of Christ is never dull and is always consumed with fulfilling our calling. There is no time to waste gloating in presidential victory  – or wallowing in fear and defeat.

Love never fails! Let us speak that message loud and clear above the din of the cultural divide.

Greetings from Thailand!

Diana Kongkeattikul