Can you describe love
Can you describe what love truly feels like? Most think it is that temporary giddy feeling we get when we meet someone that makes our heart flutter. This is called “love at first sight” and sadly, it usually ends on a bitter note. Let’s take a look at how God describes love and then see how we can relate it to our lives.
In 1st Corinthians 13 we are given the truest meaning of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Oh my, who can ever match up to the definition of love? Can you imagine never being self-seeking? Matthew 5 says, “Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you”, and continues with, “If you love those who love you, what reward is that?”
Some say love isn’t all it is cut out to be, but I believe that it is. Love isn’t complicated at all-if we can put pride and anger aside. In the present age in which we live, love has become overshadowed by desire. Love is more than what we show a family member or close friend. Love is how we act especially when we are wrong. How hard is it to say, “I’m sorry”? Pride usually gets in the way; however, love is not proud. How easy is it to love your enemies? Society teaches to hate not to love which makes following God’s word near impossible. When we do choose to love our enemies they no longer have power over us and grace fills the space that hate was occupying.
Where do you find yourself in the quest for unconditional love? Are you bound by pride, anger, envy, or a grudge? Is there someone, something, or some event that is causing you not to love? I heard recently that we cannot love God if we cannot love our enemies and ourselves. That is a harsh reality that makes so much sense. I am confident that all people want to restore or simply find a relationship with God that has been missing for far too long.
It is time to forgive all those that have separated you from yourself and your love for God. It is time to take back a life that has been robbed of so much good. It is time to replace the lost years of bitterness and loneliness with present and future days of forgiveness and peace. It really is time to let go and let God.
Where do we start? Wherever you find yourself at this moment, pause and give thanks to God for simply creating you. Know that in his creation that you are good. Neither, where you have been nor what you have done will keep you from loving ever again. Jesus Christ is God and in him is the Resurrection of the dead. We have all been walking dead for too long. As of right now, we are united in expressing our love for each other. It starts with you and spreads throughout the world.
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. I hope you believe in love. Most of all, I hope you desire to be loved and to express love. Live the word of the Gospel as best you can and allow The Holy Spirit to awaken the sleeping giant that dwells deep inside of you. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is a dream. Today is a gift. And there is no time better than the present to say, “I love you.”
peace love and grace
Dale Childress
dchildress@livinadream.com
In 1st Corinthians 13 we are given the truest meaning of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Oh my, who can ever match up to the definition of love? Can you imagine never being self-seeking? Matthew 5 says, “Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you”, and continues with, “If you love those who love you, what reward is that?”
Some say love isn’t all it is cut out to be, but I believe that it is. Love isn’t complicated at all-if we can put pride and anger aside. In the present age in which we live, love has become overshadowed by desire. Love is more than what we show a family member or close friend. Love is how we act especially when we are wrong. How hard is it to say, “I’m sorry”? Pride usually gets in the way; however, love is not proud. How easy is it to love your enemies? Society teaches to hate not to love which makes following God’s word near impossible. When we do choose to love our enemies they no longer have power over us and grace fills the space that hate was occupying.
Where do you find yourself in the quest for unconditional love? Are you bound by pride, anger, envy, or a grudge? Is there someone, something, or some event that is causing you not to love? I heard recently that we cannot love God if we cannot love our enemies and ourselves. That is a harsh reality that makes so much sense. I am confident that all people want to restore or simply find a relationship with God that has been missing for far too long.
It is time to forgive all those that have separated you from yourself and your love for God. It is time to take back a life that has been robbed of so much good. It is time to replace the lost years of bitterness and loneliness with present and future days of forgiveness and peace. It really is time to let go and let God.
Where do we start? Wherever you find yourself at this moment, pause and give thanks to God for simply creating you. Know that in his creation that you are good. Neither, where you have been nor what you have done will keep you from loving ever again. Jesus Christ is God and in him is the Resurrection of the dead. We have all been walking dead for too long. As of right now, we are united in expressing our love for each other. It starts with you and spreads throughout the world.
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. I hope you believe in love. Most of all, I hope you desire to be loved and to express love. Live the word of the Gospel as best you can and allow The Holy Spirit to awaken the sleeping giant that dwells deep inside of you. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is a dream. Today is a gift. And there is no time better than the present to say, “I love you.”
peace love and grace
Dale Childress
dchildress@livinadream.com
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