Today’s essay was written by Amy Carmichael in the mid-20th century. Camrichael is best known for her missionary work among orphan children in Southern India. The essay is entitled “Calvary Love” and reads very similar to the Thirteenth chapter of One Corinthians. Carmichael writes introspectively and provides some thoughtful examples of what is lacking in our lives to show the love of Christ exemplified in the cross. I cannot help but be stuck on one section as I reflect on the essay. In it Carmichael asserts,
If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying “Peace, peace,” where there is no peace; if I forget the Poignant word “Let love be without dissimulation” and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
I do think there might possibly be more nuance to what Carmichael is asserting but I do know the temptation to smooth talk versus lovingly telling the truth. How do speak truth in a way that is respectful, caring, and ultimately loving. We live a world of “zingers” and “gotcha” moments. But love that is Christ centered cannot rejoice in “zinging” or “getting” someone else when it comes to sharing the truth.
An earmark of Christian community is hospitality. When we open our home and ourselves to others we do so in love and truth. 1 Peter 4:8-9 speaks of the importance of real love, not looking over sins but covering the sins of others with the love we have received in respect to our own sin. Let us live Calvary love.