Butterflies in your stomach. Sweaty palms. Constant smiles. Weakened knees. Skipping heartbeats. I think these symptoms tend to describe one of the most overused phrases in this crazy world. Yeah, you guessed it! “I love you.” Let’s face it, we’re all guilty as charged. We all say it, whether it be to our husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, dad, mom, brother, sister, or friend. This list could go on. Love is such a profound word that is used so often. I’ve been captivated by this word lately. The question has been asked countless times, followed by a multitude of varying answers. “What exactly is love?” Now STOP! Pause a second. Sit back and think about how you would define love (in a word, phrase or sentence). Don’t complicate things. I’m not talking about a specific kind of love; I’m talking about love in general. Really think about it and then continue to read.
Now, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, love is defined as: a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties, an assurance of affection; the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration. Many of you may have thought along these lines or possibly you thought deeper and more intricately. I feel as if these definitions are too basic. They’re ‘good,’ but I know there’s more to it. I KNOW there is a deeper rendition of this magnificent word.
So what is one to do to get down to the core of love? I think looking to a book that uses some form of the word love approximately six hundred times is a perfect place to start – The Bible. I encourage you to read the verses I list below. My attention was first drawn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Then many others including: Proverbs 10:12, 17:17; John 15:3; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 3:16, 3:18, 4:8, 4:18. Please go read them; I really want this to stick!
From these verses alone, I gather three major themes:
1. Without God, one will NEVER truly understand love. God is love, meaning apart from Him, one can know no such thing. Intense, eh?!
2. Love is NOT an emotion or a feeling! It IS an action! Too many people center their love on how they “feel.” BIG mistake! I promise you, you will not always “feel” love, BUT you can always act love. For example: Your husband forgets your anniversary. I can just about guarantee all the ladies reading this just made a ‘not so nice’ face. You aren’t going to “feel” love in that situation (try morbid anger, ha). But you can love your husband by your actions, in forgiveness, patience, etc. Point taken? Love is an action, not a feeling.
3. Now, for my favorite! I think one can define love in one word. Love is sacrifice. In EVERY aspect, in EVERY way, shape, and form. Love is a sacrificial action. Let me elaborate. Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient (even when you’re in a hurry), love is kind (even when you don’t want to be), it is not self-seeking (even when you want or need something), it does not boast (even when you think yourself deserving), it keeps no record of wrongs (even when you’ve been hurt), it always protects (even when that means putting yourself in harm’s way), it always perseveres (even when your world is falling apart), love NEVER fails (even when everything tells you to give up). There is sacrifice to the self all up in those verses! WOW! Putting the one you love above yourself in everything seems to be key.
1. Without God, one will NEVER truly understand love. God is love, meaning apart from Him, one can know no such thing. Intense, eh?!
2. Love is NOT an emotion or a feeling! It IS an action! Too many people center their love on how they “feel.” BIG mistake! I promise you, you will not always “feel” love, BUT you can always act love. For example: Your husband forgets your anniversary. I can just about guarantee all the ladies reading this just made a ‘not so nice’ face. You aren’t going to “feel” love in that situation (try morbid anger, ha). But you can love your husband by your actions, in forgiveness, patience, etc. Point taken? Love is an action, not a feeling.
3. Now, for my favorite! I think one can define love in one word. Love is sacrifice. In EVERY aspect, in EVERY way, shape, and form. Love is a sacrificial action. Let me elaborate. Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient (even when you’re in a hurry), love is kind (even when you don’t want to be), it is not self-seeking (even when you want or need something), it does not boast (even when you think yourself deserving), it keeps no record of wrongs (even when you’ve been hurt), it always protects (even when that means putting yourself in harm’s way), it always perseveres (even when your world is falling apart), love NEVER fails (even when everything tells you to give up). There is sacrifice to the self all up in those verses! WOW! Putting the one you love above yourself in everything seems to be key.
In all the verses I listed, love seems to be related to one of two things: a sacrifice to self OR laying down one’s very life for the sake of another.
My parents love me, so they sacrifice their time, energy, and if it came to it, their very lives for me. A handful of those dearest to me I, too, would give up my life for. You see, it all comes down to God’s love for us though. God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son’s life to save us while we were still sinners. Because of that I give my life to Him, even if that means death. Love isn’t this awesome, giddy feeling all the time, yet love is when through the good, bad, and the ugly we would give anything for the sake of the one we love.
This may be known to many of you, but to others, I hope you approach love in a new light. I guess I’m just tired of people throwing the word around, singers disgracing the true meaning, movies skewing our perception, and adults (not just young people) using the word for their own personal gain or benefit. Love is too sacred for us to desecrate, yet it’s defamed on a daily basis. God meant for love to be forever, never failing, yet almost fifty percent of marriages end up in divorce and abuse is on the rise. Something is very wrong with this picture. People are too often missing what love really is and focusing on their own selfish desires.
I want to hit on earthly relationships real quick and my thoughts toward it:
To men: Take a breather. Don’t feel pressured to say “I love you” just because your little lady wants you to. Trust me, you not saying it before you mean it will be a lot better for her in the long run. But when you do say it, STEP UP; mean what you say and say what you mean. Until you’re willing to sacrifice anything and everything for that lady, keep your mouths closed.
To ladies: You’re NOT in love with every guy you date or every male that shows you attention. Don’t be so quick to speak, save it. Save it for the man you’ll give everything up for, the one that loves you back. Guard your heart; keep Christ as your first love and allow Him to bring you an earthly lover.
To men: Take a breather. Don’t feel pressured to say “I love you” just because your little lady wants you to. Trust me, you not saying it before you mean it will be a lot better for her in the long run. But when you do say it, STEP UP; mean what you say and say what you mean. Until you’re willing to sacrifice anything and everything for that lady, keep your mouths closed.
To ladies: You’re NOT in love with every guy you date or every male that shows you attention. Don’t be so quick to speak, save it. Save it for the man you’ll give everything up for, the one that loves you back. Guard your heart; keep Christ as your first love and allow Him to bring you an earthly lover.
This earthly love God has blessed humanity with is meant to be an example of His love for us, His sacrifice for us. Oh, what a beautiful and divine romance. A romance one can’t help but see love up, down, inside, and all around it. God wants us to have this blessing and use it for His glory. Don’t miss out on the purpose of love. Let’s face it, it’s not about you in any aspect!
God loves me with an everlasting love and I strive to love Him with all of me. He is my heavenly lover. Looking to the day, Lord willing, that I gain an earthly lover, I pray I will be a woman who lives out the example of Christ’s love to my husband. A life full of unwavering sacrifice, a heart centered on God, and a daily action of pure love towards him; just as my Father has toward me. This sinful world teaches nothing true about love, yet I live in true love every day thanks to my heavenly Father. If you want to truly love someone or mend an earthly relationship, look to love, God Himself, to guide you. Love is always there, but we must understand what it is in order to embrace it in any aspect. See His perfect love, so that you might love also.
"Nothing can separate, even if I ran away.
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes. but You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails
You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes.
There maybe pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning.
And when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me. Your love never fails
The wind is strong and the water's deep, but I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails.
The chasm is far too wide. I never thought I'd reach the other side.
But Your love never fails
You make all things work together for my good!"
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes. but You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails
You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes.
There maybe pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning.
And when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me. Your love never fails
The wind is strong and the water's deep, but I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails.
The chasm is far too wide. I never thought I'd reach the other side.
But Your love never fails
You make all things work together for my good!"
