A More Excellent Way

Once we were in Hawaii on the island of Maui exploring the breathtaking beauty of nature. Prior to the trip, we bought a guidebook written by a local islander, offering tips and suggestions of the best things to see. As we traveled the Road to Hana, we saw many sightseeing stops where lots of tourists had gathered to view various ocean vistas, waterfalls, bamboo forests and volcanic rock. 

One particular spot looked very popular. Our guidebook said that many people would be there to look at a particular waterfall. It told us not to stop there but to continue to one that was better, one that very few knew about. He told us precisely how far to go, and to look for a little trail through the trees. When we got to the spot, we pulled over, and walked the narrow trail 50 yards through the jungle where we came to the most beautiful sight. There was a glorious waterfall spilling into a lovely pool of water and not a soul was around. We had it all to ourselves! We enjoyed a cool swim under our own private waterfall. We were so happy for our guide’s advice. He had truly shown us something more excellent than the average tourist would have experienced.

Paul, the apostle, told us a similar thing when he wrote about “a more excellent way.” In 1 Corinthians 12 he did a great job of explaining the gifts of the spirit and how they were useful, but then he said: “And yet I will show you a more excellent way.” (See 1 Corinthians 12:31) Then he shows us in beautiful detail the glory and the power of God’s love, far surpassing even the best of the spiritual gifts.

While there are many biblical truths that we can major on, some may put an emphasis on the gifts, some on evangelism, some on healing, some on giving, be sure not to miss the most splendid of all. That is the beauty of an unconditional love whose waters are so deep, no one has ever found the bottom of it. It is never exhausted and it continually flows like a never-ending waterfall. Because, as Paul said, where there are tongues and prophecies, there is an end to them, and while good deeds and the attaining of knowledge are good things, they are nothing compared to this powerful love. 

Love is a path for us to walk that some have not found yet, but we love taking time to point them to the most excellent way.