Love. The word "love" seems to have lost its meaning for many people that surround us. Love is often applied to objects as well as experiences. Love can exist for a moment an then be forgotten or even simply taken away. Love seems to be more of an emotion that exists with in a moment for someone that craves something so intensely. However, once the craving has been fulfilled then the love seems to become stale and then thrown away. How has love come to this point? I have asked my self this question and what seems to jump out to me is that love has been replaced or mistaken for passion. People mistake passion for love. The problem with passion is that often it is only temporary and can fade quickly. I believe that is why as Americans we have become driven by the latest and greatest of products available on the market. It seems people are not longer satisfied with anything forever.
Products are not even being designed or built to last because they will
soon find themselves on a shelf or sold for a better model. This seems to be translating to people and their relationships as well. I believe that is why the divorce rate in America is at an all time high. So what is true love?
My favorite way to describe true love is found in the bible in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
"1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Love is not easy for us as humans. We have to work at love because it means we have to put the desires and will of some one else above our own. We have to become selfless instead of selfish. God is the perfect way to true love. The bible simply says God is love. He wrapped himself in flesh and demonstrated love in person. He walked this earth and gave his life for us asking nothing in return. That is love.
I challenge you to simply learn to love as well as to be loved. With Christmas right around the corner and a new year that is rapidly approaching, there is no better time than now to work on love.
