Love.
Love. A small word that carries much weight. Oftentimes it rolls off the tongue with sincerity and ease. Sometimes it is used strategically to deceive. At times it remains an unspoken and highly sought after sentiment.
Love. It shows up in lyrics, poetry, paintings, books, and films. From our heart, love manifests in our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and people we may not know. And, of course, in our pets.
Agape love. It’s unconditional and selfless, the purest form of love. God is love and He loves us without condition. He loves us for who we are, not what we do or don’t do. His love for us is not performance based. He wants only the best for us, every minute of every day.
Mark 12:30-31
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
There is none other commandment greater than these.
Christ commands us to love God and our neighbor. Love is not agreement of “what”, it is acceptance of “who”. Love is patient when struggle is present. Love is second chances. When we don’t agree with what someone has done, we who are spiritual can provide a soft place to fall and offer rest in place of judgement. At some point we’ve all been there, maybe a few times, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.
Let’s extend the grace to others that we’d like to receive. Let’s model the life we want to inspire others to live. When we see behaviors that don’t line up with our spiritual compass, exercise that muscle called faith. As we focus on perfecting our relationship with Christ, we can support and encourage others on their path. Each step forward is progress, and each step backward is a lesson. We can’t do this alone; we need each other. Love is the answer.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. Love never dies. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ~ The Message
Grace & Peace,
Teretha