This past Sunday we honored our eight graduating Seniors: Regan Belue, Kendall Christian, Anne Marie Coy, Sarah Kathryn Hankins, Asher Hastings, Sophie Lair, Landon Tucker, and Anna Yates. As we discussed what their Senior Sunday, the consistent theme that kept coming to the forefront was how thankful they were for their time at Chenal. They recognized that how they got to where they are was not solely on their abilities or skills but on the influence of the community, they were blessed to be a part of.

This message from the students was one that I see in 1 Corinthians. The entire book is Paul helping navigate “church things.” From personal identities to collective growth. This is struggle is no more present than in 1 Corinthians 12. Here, Paul addresses the focus on the various spiritual gifts present in the church at Corinth. After identifying the gifts present, Paul writes, “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) This specific line is where Paul transitions into the “Chapter of Love,” or more specifically 1 Corinthians 13. What Paul does here is masterful, because everything he describes in 1 Corinthians 13 is in complete contrast to how the Corinthians have been behaving in 1 Corinthians 12. He is showing the Corinthians that if they want to live for the kingdom of God, they have to move away from a focus on themselves and onto others.