keeping the Corpath Experience REAL with LOVE.

This is the final edition in our series focusing on four unique ways your Corpath group can operate with transparency and high integrity while providing a safe space for the members to share and walk through the Christian journey together.

Using the word REAL as an acronym for the four ideas, the first two topics we discussed were RESPECT, ENCOURAGEMENT and ACCOUNTABILITY.

For this week, we will focus on keeping the Corpath Experience REAL with LOVE.

If your Corpath experience is going to be REAL, then LOVE indeed needs to be a foundational element that exists and is exhibited in the forum group setting.

Seems obvious, right? Maybe.

But it is sometimes difficult to express and live the love that is commanded in scriptures.

If you have ever been to a Christian wedding, you likely heard someone read “the LOVE chapter” found in 1 Corinthians 13. In this passage, Paul gives us a rather unique list of what LOVE is and its importance in building lasting relationships.

Q: How have you experienced LOVE from/in your Corpath Forum group in the past? What was happening?

The world does an excellent job at giving us situations to wrestle with and topics that can be divisive. The past couple years are an excellent example of this. Opposing thoughts and differing points of view can create dissection if we let them, even in Corpath group environments.

It’s with this in mind that I believe the list of attributes found in 1 Corinthians can be a guiding light for how we need to act in our forum groups as we keep it REAL.

Starting at verse 4 (NLT), we read, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Imagine what it might be like to participate in a group that was impatient, competitive (with each other) and rude. The group likely wouldn’t build any trust or cohesion. Individuals wouldn’t feel safe with being transparent and avoid complete honesty for fear of judgment and retaliation.

Later in the passage (verse 13) Paul gives us a final statement on the importance of LOVE in relationships. He says, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

The greatest is LOVE!

Imagine a group where all members were supported on the journey God has called them to take. Where everyone experienced kindness and tolerance at all times. A place where there was no judgement about decisions made and actions taken. Where RESPECT was given freely. Words of ENCOURAGEMENT were spoken for the purpose of edifying each other. True ACCOUNTABILITY was expected from all. And LOVE was the foundation of everything that happens.

That’s what a REAL Corpath Forum Group looks like and is!

Q: How is your group doing at showing LOVE? What do you do well? What could be improved?

I hope you have enjoyed this series over the past four weeks. My desire is that each of you would think deeply about how your presence and contribution can add high value and help keep the forum group experience REAL.

My PRAYER

God, I praise you for being alive in me through your Holy Spirit. I thank You for these words over the past few weeks and ask You to show me ways that I can be REAL with my forum group members in the year ahead. May I contribute with love when others need. Also, show me when it’s my turn to receive from them and do it with grace. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Blessings as Always!

Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums

"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"

Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.

Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.