Meditations on Love

Am I known for my love???

Did you know I’m a word girl? Like, I really geek out on word definitions and meanings. I know it’s weird, but I get super excited when I learn a new word or when I discover that a word means something way different than what I thought.

That brings me to the simple yet complex word: love. We instantly think to ourselves, I know what that means; I mean, who doesn't know what love means?! But the question is, do I really?? And more importantly, I ask myself, am I known for my love?

Google says love means “an intense feeling of deep affection.”

Merriam-Webster describes it as “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties” and also “attraction based on sexual desire.”

These are good descriptions. They are probably the words most of us would use when describing love to someone. But there is a more accurate definition; one that gets out of the feelings category and into the true heart of the matter.

The Bible says love is sacrificial and requires action (1 John 3:16, 18). But the most interesting thing it says is that love requires obedience. I bet you didn’t see that one coming.

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.”

John 14:21

Umph! That’s a hard stop, isn’t it? If we’re being honest with ourselves, we know being obedient to God is a daily battle. Having God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to help us is the only way we ever do anything loving. Thank goodness God first loved us to show us the way.

So, to love and be known for my love means that I first love God and obey His commands. Now, I need to put love into action by being sacrificial in the way I live my life and the way I respond to others. And, I think, just by striving to love others, we show we are being obedient to His commands and it also reveals how much we love God.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:30

Okay, so here’s a little heart check:

• Ask yourself, Am I loving others?

• Have I been a conduit for Jesus’ grace, love, and mercy?

• Who has God put in my life for me to love?

• Who has been unloving towards me and needs to see me display God’s love?

• Ask God to fill you with his love so you can, in turn, love others more than yourself.

I can start there. Will you join me?

Want to go deeper on Love? Check out this post.