Love suffers long

1 Cor 13:4 - "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;"

In chapters 12, 13 and 14 the apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about spiritual gifts. In chapter 12 he especially points out the dangers of applying the gifts the wrong way. It can lead to division in the body and conflict among the members. In verse 25 Paul states "that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another." Later in the same chapter he tells us that there is "a more excellent way" (verse 31) to use the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. In chapter 13 he explains that if one uses the gifts "but has not love it profits ... nothing" (verse 3).
Here in verse 4 Paul now starts to show us what this love looks like and he describes its attributes. Most of these statements seem to be almost self explanatory and natural, but the one that has me stop and consider for a moment is the one about "love suffers long." How can it be that the Holy Spirit would suggest through Paul that it is desirable for us to suffer, even suffer long? Isn't it bad to suffer? don't we fight wars to end suffering and donate millions every year to contribute to the end of suffering? Don't psychologists tell us that suffering, especially in children, will produce lifelong issues that we will have to deal with in therapy? And not only is it in this list of attributes, it is the first one! Paul says that first and foremost "love suffers long." How can this be?
The picture that best describes this aspect of Christlike love for me is the body of our crucified Lord on Calvary hill. From the time that Jesus was sweating blood in the garden to the moment He gave up His Spirit, He suffered. And believe you me, He suffered long. I venture to say that was the longest day He had to endure by any ones standard. But He was God! Why did He endure the pain and suffering? He could have called upon legions of angels to come down from heaven and rescue Him. He endured for one simple purpose: He loved us! It was that love that motivated Him to see His torture through to the end, for He knew what it would mean for you and me: eternal fellowship with God. He suffered for a while to enjoy us for eternity.

Application
If Jesus could endure the horrific abuse that He had to face and not take His eyes off of me and His love for me, even for a moment, I think I can bite my lips and suck up my pride when my fellow believers do not treat me as I think they should. I need to keep the end in mind, as Jesus did, and endure the injustice. Next time I am treated as a servant, I can just remember that that is what Jesus calls us to anyway: to serve others.
Specific Application
I can put my fellow students before myself by laboring in prayer for them. I will pray for one of them each day for the next 17 days.