I admit it. I want to be loved.
Our hearts are wired to love and be loved.
Since we are two weeks and a few days from Valentine’s Day, I confess that it’s hard to walk into a store and not be reminded of my singleness. It used to bother me so much. God sure did have to work on my heart to help me realize I’m being used in my singleness.
Guess what? I have some refreshing news!
No matter if you are married or single, you are loved because “God is love.” (1 John 4:16b NIV 1984). Jesus and His Love are really the cornerstone of Christianity.
Love is the divine glue that binds us together, giving us the freedom and deep desire to be more, to serve and love others, to do our best.
You know what Jesus said were the two most important laws to follow?
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.“ (Matthew 22: 37-40 NIV84).
Isn’t it wonderful and such a relief to know that the two most important “rules” Jesus wants us to follow are to love Him wholeheartedly and love others. By the way, our “neighbor” is everyone.
Many of you may be familiar with the well-known “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13, often read at weddings. Let’s look at this passage carefully, differently and challenge ourselves.
“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, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV84).
Now for the challenge. In this passage, replace your own name with the word “Love” and read it aloud. Whew. It’s a tall order. I sure do fall short of living this.
For Valentine’s Day last year I gave my precious Mom a card. Inside I wrote her name in this passage. For those who know my beloved Mom, Maxine Jordan, she is June Cleaver and Jesus all wrapped up in one beautiful package. She lives this. She is love.
“Maxine is patient, Maxine is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. Maxine is not rude, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. Maxine does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Maxine always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Maxine never fails.”
Dear friend, you are loved and you are love. Let’s live it out loud. Let’s live love.
Stay tuned next Tuesday for Part Two of this “Love Series.” I’ll let you know my confessions and how last Valentine’s Day changed my whole perspective on this romantic holiday…
Reflect:
–How will you love more with your heart, starting today?
–Do you love the Lord? If so, do you love Him with your head or your heart? Are you ready to love Him more deeply?
Renew:
–“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” (Psalm 33:22 NIV84).
–“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him… We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4: 7, 16, 17, 19 NIV84).
Recharge:
–Which people or strangers will you demonstrate love to this week?
–Open you Bible and read some daily from it. Feel the Love pouring forth on you.
Danya Jordan