Every Wednesday, we invite you to pause and pray with us. Today’s Pause & Pray is written and curated by Daesun Jang.

Pray

On Love 

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and
caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots
and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make your naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.

   [Ellipsis]

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

This is from “The Prophets” by Kahlil Gibran (1883~1931).

Meditate

To choose to love someone, we need strong bravery and encouragement. Through God, we see Jesus as a role model for love, and we receive wisdom and inspiration consistently. When we love, we become heroes who change the world. If we love one another, God will be pleased, and the world will know that we are God’s children.

I would like to honor everyone who has served us with their love so that we may stand here today. I would also like to honor those who are caring for others to help them grow and develop. I dedicate this poem to everyone who devotes themselves to another. Your love has changed people and the world, just as Jesus did. Thank you.

Listen

“Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran)” — Taylor Swift