"Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but
they are temporary; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and
of inspired messages are only partial, but when what is perfect comes, then what is
partial will disappear." My grandma died when she was 93 years old. For three or
four years before she died, she would say to me, "I don't know what good I am. I
can't do much. I'm ready to die." Grandma thought that she was no longer of any use
because she could not easily get to church or to the store or to social gatherings.
Grandma was wrong.
Grandma died over three years ago. I miss her before 7:00 a.m. phone calls, her
birthday calls, complete with singing, and just talking to her. But the one thing I miss
the most is knowing that Grandma is sitting in her rocking chair, Bible on her lap,
praying for me each day.
After 90 years, Grandma felt useless and wanted to rest in the arms of Jesus. In her
own tiredness she did not know how important her spiritual gift of faith was to those
around her. Her belief in a loving God who heard her prayers became an example to at least
one of her grandchildren. In her love for us she lifted us up each day to our heavenly
Parent.
The apostle Paul tells us in "the love chapter" (I Corinthians 13) that
spiritual gifts will end and will not be of relevance when Jesus returns. Paul begins that
section with the words of hope that love never ends. Just as my Grandma's love for me
never ended, I am assured of Jesus' love for all of us. Jesus will return someday. At that
time we will see him face to face and will no longer need to use our God-given gifts. But
until that time, whether we are 90 or 9, we can use our gifts to build up our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
