Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
Some people are easy to love—my nephew and niece, for example.
Having a forty-pound monkey on my back during portions of the family hike was in no way a burden because of the love we share. His sweet, never-ending kisses and the time we can spend reading stories in Spanish are precious moments I treasure.
My niece is growing and learning to laugh. Her smiles are infectious and every little thing she does is a delight.
God is not burdened when we place things on His shoulders because of His tremendous love for us. He longs to remind us that we are a part of His eternal love story.
And just as we rejoice in the new things my niece discovers, never tiring of her smiles and snuggles, God never wavers in His infinite love for us.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Love defines us as God’s disciples.
The more we dwell in His love, the easier it is to extend that love to others.
Not only are you a beloved child of God, but so are His other disciples.
How can you show your Christian sister God’s love for her today? Take a moment to share God’s love story and delight in what God is doing in your lives.

Written by Rayne Paz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Brazil

Jesus revolutionized the world. His actions caused dislike and distrust in a society that was trying to understand God’s will but was wrong so many times. Christ brought a direct message from God - what God really wanted from His creation. But some of His followers were being treated negatively Women!

How did Jesus treat and relate to this particular audience?

The middle eastern woman was very underestimated. References from the Old Testament like Deborah, Ruth, and Esther had been forgotten during God’s “silent years”, which led to women being undervalued and underrepresented.

During New Testament times, women were seen as inferior compared to men, but Jesus saw them as equal partners. Not as superiors , but as God’s divine creation and of importance to God and to society. Jesus faced the challenge of including women as participants in His redeeming work. He knew the impact that women would have on His journey. Luke talks about this in chapter 8, verses 1-3, “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

Jesus traveled with His disciples, both men and women, but the women were the ones who supported him financially. Amongst them was Mary Magdalene.

Mary’s past was not the best, she was tormented by demons (Luke 8:2). That fact was a part of who she was, part of her HIStory. Perhaps she was insecure about possibly falling again, but this time everything was different; she had been set free by the CHRIST and from that moment on she decided to follow and support Him.

Mary was a faithful follower of Jesus until the day of His crucifixion. When everyone ran away because they were scared, embarrassed, or powerless seeing their Master on the cross, Mary and the other women were there (Mt 27:55-56) touched, moved, and worried for their Lord. These women were among the last people to see Jesus’ face before He died on the cross and God allowed them to be the first ones to see His body resurrected (Mt 28:1-10).

After three-day Mary went to the tomb to anoint Christ’s body. She was worried about being able to open the tomb by herself, but bravely went anyways (Mark 16:1-3). Seeing the empty tomb and receiving the order to go and announce that Jesus was resurrected was really scary, so she didn’t say anything (Mark 16:8). She was just a woman, who would believe her? And maybe they would think it was her fault. It was too risky. But everything changed when Jesus Himself came to her. The one who gave her a second chance, freed her and healed her. Christ called her by her name: Mary! Her eyes were opened at that moment and she overcame her fear because of the faith she had in the resurrected Christ, Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:18, NAA) Her encounter with the Master made her overcome her fears to testify and announce the resurrection.

We learn so much from Mary Magdalene’s HIStory! A lot of times we are free, but our own past clings on to us in a way that makes us feel insecure. Just like Mary, we need to overcome our fears because in doing so we can have an encounter with the Lord, and gain resilience, new life, confidence, and faithfulness. No matter what our situation is, with Him, even when we feel broken, sad, or helpless, we can be confident that will be with Him. Just like Mary Magdalene, if we stay with Him until the end, we will be able to see Him resurrected. He already is!

Are you ready to announce the good news to all?

Mustard Seeds
Written by Erica Peck

Let’s talk seeds. Mustard seeds, to be specific. They are the smallest seed a gardener could hold in their hand, and yet that tiny seed can grow into a gigantic tree, reaching about 20 feet tall. It’s a plant that grows quickly, reaching its full size in only a few years. Though it starts as the smallest seed you’ll ever hold in your hand, it will grow to occupy a large space—so you better make sure it’s got some room!

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches." (Luke 13:18-19)

Jesus was always good about using concrete examples in this world that people could see and touch in order to describe aspects of Himself, or about the kingdom of heaven in His parables. Did you know that mustard trees grow wild throughout much of the Middle East and Africa? And that it can survive on as little as 8 inches of rainfall per year? It’s hardy and strong. When Jesus told the people this parable, He may very well have been walking next to one, pointing up at its branches so everyone could see and truly understand.

In another place in scripture, Jesus tells us, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Have you ever held a mustard seed in your hand? It’s so small, you feel like it may slip from your hand and drop it. And yet Jesus tells us that if we have faith even that small, “nothing will be impossible for us.” His kingdom will grow like a mustard seed—gigantic, growing quickly, and surviving, even the roughest of places. I believe this is true. Do you? In your circles of influence, where can you plant a “mustard seed” today? Will it be in a conversation with your co-worker? In the heart of your sticky-faced toddler? With the woman at the grocery store? Your influence has a farther reach than you think. And I have faith that He will use those seeds to grow His kingdom strong and mighty.

The prayer at the end of Ephesians 3 has always been one of my favorites. The reminder of the depth, length, height, and depth of God’s love... that His power is at work with me... and that He is able to do beyond what I can ask or imagine. Wow!
These familiar verses fill me with hope, but the renewal of strength came when I took a longer minute to reflect on the way faith and love are an integral part of making it all possible. Christ dwells in my heart through faith—and that faith allows me to comprehend the vastness of His love. I can even know His love that surpasses knowledge. Mind blown. Re-read these verses with me from Ephesians 3:14-21. May you, too, be rooted, grounded, and established in that love, filled with faith that powerfully works in and through us.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Bible is a love story, offering hope to a world without purpose or direction.
And this time of year, in the midst of the commercialism that surrounds the holiday, we are given the opportunity to remember and to share that message of love and hope with others.
Hope came in the form of a child, a babe wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12).
Love came down from heaven, became flesh and dwelt among us (1 John 4:8, John 1:14).
Emmanuel, God with us, was born as the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy and promise of hope.
Love from the Father, personified in the Son, reinforced through the Spirit.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thes. 2:16-17)
Take a moment today to share that love and hope with at least two people you know—a reminder to someone who already knows and an invitation to someone who doesn’t.

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

At times, all one can do is take the right next step, do the next right thing.
We are tired or overwhelmed. Life is crashing in around us and the light at the end of the tunnel is barely a hope.
In those moments, we are truly walking by faith, not by sight.

What can we do when we find ourselves in this kind of situation?
• Remember that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matt. 17:20).
• Remember that God is working in ways that we cannot see.
2 Kings 6:15-17
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
We don’t know if Elisha could see with his physical eyes that the army of the Lord surrounded them. But we do know that he looked with eyes of faith.
Having trouble seeing with eyes of faith?
• Finally, remember that we can echo the prayer of the father in Mark 9:23-24.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Take the right next step. And that may be to ask that God help you see with eyes of faith so that you can walk by faith, and not by sight.

Written by Jennifer Percell, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Missouri

When I read the story of Jairus, I always feel a jolt of the panic this man must have felt as he fell to his knees at Jesus feet. His little girl was dying. But Jairus had to watch as a crowd came between him and his only hope. He must have felt terrible anxiety as the Savior stopped to speak to the woman who had touched His cloak. As Jesus told the woman to go in peace, Jairus must have wondered if he had any hope for peace. And then the news came that a parent cannot bear. His little girl was gone. He was told to stop bothering the Teacher. The crushing pain barely had time to set in though before Jesus offered new hope. The roller coaster of emotion ended with a family reunited and death stopped in its tracks. A scene only God can orchestrate, a resurrection.

I have not suffered the death of a child, but I have begged Jesus to save my children from spiritual death. There was a time when my fears for them left me panicked much like Jairus. A few years ago, I entered a very dark season. One of my dearest friends, my faithful, kind mother-in-law was nearing the end of her life. We were privileged to have her living with us in her final illness, but the pain of watching her fade away was weighing us down.

On a day when we were at the hospital helplessly watching cancer steal our loved one, I decided to go home for a shower. On the drive I spoke to a dear friend who had just lost his brother to a terrible crime. I felt that my heart could not take another ounce of pain. When I arrived at our house and brought in the mail there was a letter from our daughter. This letter confirmed my worst fears that this precious daughter had walked away from her faith.

Beginning that horrible day, I fell into what I now describe as a paralysis of my heart. I knew my number one purpose was to raise my children with strong faith and I had failed at all that really mattered.

Then, just as my mother-in-law entered the last few weeks of her life, another tragedy struck. My precious big sister, confidante and best friend was stricken with severe dementia and unable to live in her home. It was up to me to make very hard decisions concerning her care. My sorrow grew deeper. My faith did not waver but I identified very much with Jesus, the Man of sorrows.

At the lowest point of this season of despair, I became ill myself. It was necessary to take medical leave from one of the few jobs still functioning during COVID lock-down. I loved my days cooking for the elderly at a nursing home and now I had to abandon them in their lock-down loneliness.

My tears seemed to be the only constant in my life and like Jairus I felt that God had turned to help someone else in spite of my constant prayers for Him to intervene in all these crises. I began to feel that joy and laughter were inappropriate, that until my child returned to the Lord and my loved ones had relief, I had no right to be happy.

Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, to believe and his girl would be healed. Slowly, gently, Jesus found ways to tell me not to be afraid. Somewhere in the midst of my frantic prayers and accompanying darkness, I came to the end. The end of uselessly rehearsing conversations again and again in my mind to see what I had said wrong or could fix. The end of offering God plans, ideas, and suggestions of how to change these hopeless situations. The end, I guess, of me: me trying to change all the things I had absolutely no control over. When Jairus was told his daughter was dead, he must have felt it was the end, the end of any solution he could see to his great need.

And at that end, God begins. When all our solutions are gone, all our fixes are broken and there is nothing left, we are finally ready for God. The mourners at Jairus' house had accepted the end. They laughed at the idea that Jesus could change death. Jesus, however, as always, had the last word. The Bible tells us He took the child by the hand, her spirit returned and she stood up.

When I felt I had reached my end, God could begin to reason with me. There were days when I truly understood I was not alone. I saw that asking God to heal my daughter's faith and care for my health, my sister and my grief for my mother-in-law, required me to understand that He heard my cries. I began to see my prayers as the act of handing the whole package of burdens to God and walking beside Him, free of the weight I could not carry. Each step taken when I let Jesus carry the pain, became lighter, until one day I realized that I could laugh. I could walk beside Jesus and feel joy.

Just as Jairus walked back to the house with Jesus, not knowing his daughter would live again, I still walk with so many unknowns. My daughter is still living without God, my mother-in-law is no longer here with us, my sister is out of my reach in her broken mind, and my illness is unresolved. But like the child raised by Jesus, my spirit has returned.

I learned that I can walk with deep sorrow and deep joy hand in hand. My heart can contain earth's anguish and heaven's peace as Jesus walks with me toward the resolutions I have prayed for. Someone has said, in Jesus a waiting season does not need to be a wasted season. Faith gives us constant hope of healing, peace and the resurrection of lost souls.

So sister, get up, wash your face, and live, because the Great Physician, the Resurrecting Jesus is on His way to raise your heart up and give you joy.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #resurrection #guestwriter #hope

Written by Eliuth Araque de Valencia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.” (Heb. 11:11)

I can assure you that both you and I have passed through a variety of seasons in our walk of faith. In particular, I have experienced seasons of fruitfulness and I have also experienced seasons of suffering where I did not understand how God could redeem it. And yet, He did.

In my family devotional life, each night we pray for our deepest needs; it is one of the most anticipated moments, opening our hearts, recognizing that we have our struggles. Each one participates giving their requests… that is the dynamic. My turn comes. I once again made a recurring and embarrassing request for a woman who longs to receive the praise of her husband and children, and at the end of a day with a hectic and busy schedule I said: “I ask that God work in my life as the woman He wants me to be, with a soft and quiet spirit pleasing in His eyes.” My son replied and said: "You have been asking for the same thing for a long time." And this was my starting point of affliction, of pain and anguish. "Yes son, it's time."

It is not that God does not always answer my prayers exactly the way I want Him to, nor how many times I manifest them, it was time to not stand there waiting for something magical to happen, but to trigger change and truly take advantage of every opportunity as a mother, wife, daughter and sister to show Christ, even when His very nature is to redeem.

And this is what I see today in this passage. Here Sarah, wife of the great patriarch Abraham, tends to be seen in a frame of dignity and honor. But reading the biblical description of her life, it is impossible not to notice that at times she acted very badly. She may throw fits and tantrums, be impatient, moody, scheming, fierce, mean, fickle, bad-tempered, jealous, erratic, irrational, a winner, complaining, and nagging. However, it has always been a reference or the perfect model of godly grace and meekness.

So, it's easy to start from praise, thinking that we're good Christians, that we read our Bibles, that we pray regularly, that we congregate faithfully and obey all the rules. This is an inaccurate version of ourselves. We fail daily, we are unfaithful every time we choose to sin, we are weak and easily distracted. We can have it all by appearance, but our heart tells the truth. When our life is not according to God's plans and purposes, all we experience is pain, misery, and much regret. At some point it can seem to work in our favor and at the same time be far from God, in slavery, stagnant, without significant changes.

Sara was a creature driven by carnal problems like us. There was one thing she wanted above all else, and that was having children. But she was barren from the beginning to the end of her childbearing years. In fact, this is pretty much the first thing scripture mentions about her in Genesis 11:30, obviously grieving over barrenness. Each episode of bad humor or conflict in her family was preceded by her failure due to her infertility. This consumed her. She spent many years dealing with the frustration and depression that her reality produced. Her desperate desire for motherhood was ended by accepting the fact of her barrenness (Gen. 16:2). She wanted her husband to have an heir so badly that she came up with a plan between him and her maid.
Conceivably, the aftermath of such a carnal alibi was nearly life-tearing and seemed to leave a permanent scar on her personality. Her bitterness infuriated her for thirteen years, until she finally insisted that Abraham expel the other woman, and the child they had fathered.

Her defects are notorious and enough, there is no doubt, she had fallen. Her faith weakened, her heart led her down a wrong path, flaws visible and unquestionable. And we wonder, could there be something more? Fortunately, yes, there was much more to Sara than that. She had both strong points and glaring flaws. The scriptures actually commend her for her faith and steadfastness. The apostle Peter points to her as a model of how each wife should submit to the authority of her husband. Her life is characterized by humility, meekness, hospitality, fidelity, deep affection for her husband, sincere love for God and hope in all trials.

After making this contrast and contradiction, I can conclude that Sarah was a woman who received redemption, because she learned what was valuable, she believed, giving birth to a son after the years of her fertility, being old, a precedent in Hebrew history. The most relevant aspects are her unfailing fidelity to her husband, her perseverance against incredible obstacles and the firmness of her faith; they became the main feature of his legacy. Indeed, the New Testament admires her in the hall of faith: "Because she considered him faithful who had made the promise." (Heb. 11:11)

The full spectacle of Sarah's faith is not fully appreciated until the many seemingly insurmountable obstacles to that faith are considered. The happiness of God's promise fulfilled, not because of Sarah's perfection in obedience or faith, but because God is faithful to His word. Some promises of God are conditional on us doing something. But others are unconditional and are fulfilled not because of what we do, but because of who God is.

“Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.” (Is. 51:2)

Now, dear reader, a life of faith is what God appreciates. You and I are not perfect women, we cannot be. God is not indifferent, He sustains us. Today, believe despite your struggles by remembering Sarah. She, against hope, trusted that the impossible for her, that which caused her laughter, would become true. And because He is faithful, we who believe in Christ are justified and redeemed.

That is why God shows His love in that, even though we were sinners, Christ died for us, to enjoy righteousness, believing in Him; being rich in mercy, He not only had a redemptive plan with Sarah and her family but also a plan for us. With the name of Jesus, enjoy, laugh embracing the value of each moment in faith and redemption in the hope of the glorious gospel that sustains us.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #faith #hope #Sarah #againsthope #trust #redemption #imperfectredeemed #blog

In His infinite love, God sent His Son to be born of a virgin. And while we celebrate Christ’s birth in December, it is His resurrection that transforms our hope into a living hope.

For if we are united with Him in His death, we will surely also be untied with Him in the resurrection (Romans 6:4).

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

And since we are offered new birth into a living hope, we can live in hope.

What does it look like to live in hope—to have a living hope?

Dead hope weighs us down.

Living hope uplifts.

False hope distorts.

True hope inspires.

Dead hope frustrates.

Living hope encourages.

False hope discourages.

True hope transforms.

Thank you, Father, for true living hope!

In His infinite love, God sent His Son to be born of a virgin. And while we celebrate Christ’s birth in December, it is His resurrection that transforms our hope into a living hope.
For if we are united with Him in His death, we will surely also be untied with Him in the resurrection (Romans 6:4).
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
And since we are offered new birth into a living hope, we can live in hope.
What does it look like to live in hope—to have a living hope?
Dead hope weighs us down.
Living hope uplifts.
False hope distorts.
True hope inspires.
Dead hope frustrates.
Living hope encourages.
False hope discourages.
True hope transforms.
Thank you, Father, for true living hope!

In Spanish and in Hebrew, there is a verb that can be translated three ways into English—wait, hope, or expect.

While each of those three words has their own nuances or unique connotations, let’s think about how much greater our hope would be if we wait, hope, and expect in the Lord.

Micah 7:7 gives a good example of all three concepts in the same verse:

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

If we watch in hope, we expect that his promises will be fulfilled. We wait, not knowing the time-frame, but expecting with hope.

What a blessing!

Now, let’s look at two more verses, inserting the three possible translations for new insight.

Those who wait, hope, and expectin the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Be strong and take heart, all you who wait, hope, and expectin the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)

Waiting is no fun. But when I wait in expectation, filled with hope, the waiting is not in vain.
Yesterday, as we highlighted God’s big picture plan through the waiting, I was reminded of the various ways we can translate or understand the word “wait.”
In Spanish and in Hebrew, there is a verb that can be translated three ways into English—wait, hope, or expect.
While each of those three words has their own nuances or unique connotations, let’s think about how much greater our hope would be if we wait, hope, and expect in the Lord.
Micah 7:7 gives a good example of all three concepts in the same verse:
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
If we watch in hope, we expect that his promises will be fulfilled. We wait, not knowing the time-frame, but expecting with hope.
What a blessing!
Now, let’s look at two more verses, inserting the three possible translations for new insight.
Those who wait, hope, and expect in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Be strong and take heart, all you who wait, hope, and expect in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)

The Israelites were a rebellious nation. They served other gods and followed a path of adulterous unfaithfulness.

In the book of Jeremiah, God speaks to His people through the prophet Jeremiah to remind them that He has not forgotten them. And in chapter 29, Jeremiah pens a letter to the people who had been taken in exile to Babylon. In the midst of this historical context, we see God’s often-quoted promise to give us hope and a future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

While the time in Babylonian captivity was partially designed as discipline for Israel’s infidelity, it also served as an opportunity to share with other nations more directly about who God was and invite them into relationship with Him, the sovereign Lord.

Remember Daniel and his friends? What a testimony they gave to the Babylonian and Medo-Persian nations. God has plans to give us hope and a future. It just may not look like we would want it to at the time.

Ultimately, God is in control. Whether the things that happen in our lives are a consequence of our actions, a form of disciple, the product of our decisions, or the design of God, the most important thing to remember is that God has a plan—a plan to give us hope and a future.

God’s plan is divine, infinite, supreme, and the ultimate source of hope for a redeemed future.

The Israelites were a rebellious nation. They served other gods and followed a path of adulterous unfaithfulness.
In the book of Jeremiah, God speaks to His people through the prophet Jeremiah to remind them that He has not forgotten them. And in chapter 29, Jeremiah pens a letter to the people who had been taken in exile to Babylon. In the midst of this historical context, we see God’s often-quoted promise to give us hope and a future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
While the time in Babylonian captivity was partially designed as discipline for Israel’s infidelity, it also served as an opportunity to share with other nations more directly about who God was and invite them into relationship with Him, the sovereign Lord.
Remember Daniel and his friends? What a testimony they gave to the Babylonian and Medo-Persian nations. God has plans to give us hope and a future. It just may not look like we would want it to at the time.
Ultimately, God is in control. Whether the things that happen in our lives are a consequence of our actions, a form of disciple, the product of our decisions, or the design of God, the most important thing to remember is that God has a plan—a plan to give us hope and a future.
God’s plan is divine, infinite, supreme, and the ultimate source of hope for a redeemed future.

1 Corinthians 13:13 says that the greatest of these is love.
Buy why is love the greatest? Here are a few answers from Scripture.
Love prompted God to send His Son (John 3:16).
Love is the foundation of our priorities (Matt. 22:34-40).
Love sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 22:40).
Love conquers fear (1 John 4:18).
Love forms an unbreakable bond with God (Romans 8:35-39).
Love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Love inspires obedience (John 14:15-24, 15:10).
Love works things together for good, reminding us that God is in control (Romans 8:28).
Love takes wise action with others (Romans 12:9-21).
Love makes things worthwhile (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Do you know anything else that can do all that?
Only God, himself. But since God is love (1 John 4:8), that must be part of why love is the greatest.