“Stand fast in the faith. Be brave; be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 I originally made this piece for my son’s nursery. At the time, I loved these words as a prayer for the kind of man I hoped he would become: faithful, brave, strong, and deeply loving. I still want those things. But this verse now speaks to the person I want to become, too. Standing firm in my faith now means speaking up, even when the Christians around me disagree. Being brave now looks like standing beside someone who is vulnerable, even when it's messy. Lately, love looks like showing up, and it's more costly, more raw, than just feeling compassion. Paul holds all of these things together: conviction and love. Bravery and love. Strength and love. My friends, stand fast. be brave. be strong. let everything you do be done in love.
