I wish I could fully answer the question "what is love?", but I can share with you some things I am learning.
And with Valentine's Day coming up, what better thing to talk about than "love"?
I think we all know 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
That is quite the list, don't you think?
What I have been doing for last week or so, is personalizing this verse. I really want to make it my own and let it soak into my life.
I really want to learn how to love people like my God loves me: without condition and always looking out for the other person.
So here is my personalization that I read each morning. Please note the items in bold and the ones I need some help with:
Randi is patient.
Randi is kind.
Randi does not envy.
Randi does not boast.
Randi is not proud.
Randi does not dishonor others.
Randi is not self-seeking.
Randi is not easily angered.
Randi keeps no record of wrongs.
Randi does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Randi always protects.
Randi always trusts.
Randi always hopes.
Randi always perseveres.
Randi never fails.
Yikes!
Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to acheive perfection or beat myself up over my shortcomings, but I do legitimately want to figure out how to "love" better". And to be quite honest, I didn't expect to fall so short on this list.
But I do know that exposing myself to the truth that lives inside me will only help me to grow, with my God's help. And it is ultimately by drinking in the love that He pours out on me that will transform the love that I give to others.
So, I will continue to read my list each morning and think about how I am doing. I will place those shortcomings before my God knowing that He wants to change me into a person that better reflects His love. And because of how my He loves me, I can trust Him in this process.
Today's topic: When it comes to "love" what are your strengths and/or your weaknesses? What areas would you like to allow God to change you in? What areas will bring better about better relationships in your life?
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Really well written, Randi. Making me think about myself here!!!
Posted by: erinnorberg | February 04, 2014 at 08:29 AM