When I Love.
I was in a group of single moms just trying to know other people’s thoughts about love. Eventually, one of them said, “ Who knows what love really is. Sometimes, it’s hard to know”. For people who know me better, they know that my favorite, undying topic is Love. Looking back, I realized sitting in that group, confused. Love is defined by philosophers, theologists , psychologists, etc….even variously defined by culture.
Because of this mad confusion fed to us by love songs and googoo movies, people became mad themselves about love. Sometimes, defending being so possessive by a spouse as love…or killing themselves because their girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/live in partner has abandoned them. In this case, Love is lethal. A poisonous addiction.
Yet, we all know we need Love. Love makes the world go round. It puts a smile on our faces when we see the person we love. At the same time, Love makes us feel good, right?
Love is a complex issue. Honestly, it’s true that it’s never easily defined.
I don’t confess to know about Love completely, but I’ll try to reduce some confusion about True Love by what I know now. Since, I’m trying to understand the love of God (which is better yet experienced), I would like to share what Love is and what it is not to the best of my knowledge.
1. Love entails SACRIFICE.
The Father in Heaven did not just give any offerings for the redemption of His people.To demonstrate his Love, He gave no less than His best—His most beloved son.
Some women justify the cheap gifts from their rich boyfriends, saying their boyfriends are just thrifty…blablabla. Thing is, it’s not really about the price of the gift. But it’s how willing he is to pay the price for what you want.
2. Love does NOT FORCE its way. It always gives FREEDOM.
I have been asked this question, “Why didn’t God just give us all a will to do His will all the time?” Then I responded,” And, would you want to act as a robot?” When God said, “ Choose Life. ( Deuteronomy 30:19), God had given us the right to choose. In His Love, He did not create us to be His robots. He longed that we would choose to love Him instead of forcing His way to us.
It’s funny to hear those marriage jokes. There are so many of them passed in text messages. Usually, it talks about getting choked when you are already married. In Love, you are making the person do what he needs to do. It’s never controlling. And if he chooses to do the right things that make you happy, then he has chosen to show that love to you.
3. Love DOES NOT KEEP record of wrongs.
The prodigal son arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring[b] out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 11: 20-24)
The father shut him off with his kisses. He could have said “ What did you do? You left and now you’re here?!! Ha!” So typical of us to remind the people we fight with all their mistakes. As if we are perfect and never make mistakes.
4. Love is an ACTION or a DEMONSTRATION.
God did not just say he loved us (though he did say he did), but he made it real by his demonstration. He opened His arms and let the people nail and pierce his wrists with large nails as surrender for us all. It was finished by His death. He did that for the redemption of mankind.
I know better. I have lists of people who have said they loved me, but what made it fake was their lack of respect toward me, abusing words, and absence of care. Words are of no sense until it became flesh and real.
5. Love is UNCONDITIONAL.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8 )
God so loved the World that He gave … It did NOT say, He loved the lovable.Itsaid, “the World”.
If we are honest enough, most of the time, we love only those who are lovable. As a young child, we have been taught of the reward system. If you did well at school, you would be given your favorite stuff, but if not, you would not be given anything. Love does not require anything like a return. It is like a gift. You don’t have to pay for a gift.
We want to be loved by people who do not require any pressure for us to be good and wonderful enough for them to love us. But, there is better than that.It is to go ahead and love others without too much of a demand from them to be pleasing enough for us.
Go ahead!
LOVE!
It’s free.
It’s liberating.
This is a reminder that love does not end even though the love month ends this day.~~~
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