True 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, 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 13:4-8

First of all, happy Valentine's Day! What better topic to write about than love on this day? I think we all understand the worldly view of love, but do we really understand the definition of true love? It may seem hard to understand, but every aspect of what true love is can be found in 1 Corinthians. As I sit here writing this new blog, I can't help but remember what I thought love was "back in the day." I thought love was only an action. My Jr. High "boyfriend" got me some chocolate, so he must really love me. He loves me because he bought me a gift. While my teenage girl thought process believed that this was what love was, I couldn't help but feel like there was something missing. Funny thing, there was something more.

As I get older, I realize there is so much more to true love. Love is an activity and a behavior, not just an inner feeling, emotion, or motivation. It's waking up everyday realizing that people need Jesus so desperately. Personally, I believe that the best way to show people Jesus is to love them. However, it's not loving them with worldly love. Society tells us that we can "love" someone, but be the opposite of what 1 Corinthians tells us. That is not real love. As followers of Jesus, we need to be diligent about showing nonbelievers pure, true, and genuine love- aka the love that was displayed for us on a cross thousands of years ago.

The various aspects of love listed in 1 Corinthians characterize God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We should be striving every single day to be more like Jesus, all while knowing that it's impossible to be like Him. Knowing this, we should aim to grow in this kind of love, so that we can become more like Him. Growth is so very important in our personal walks with Christ. The moment we stop growing, is the moment we become stagnant in the things of God. That is a very dangerous place to be in, and I can say that from experience.

We are only human and we sometimes get lost in the worldly love of society. We are not perfect people, but Jesus loves us anyway. If you are ever questioning what true love is, look at the cross. Look at the Man who sent his Son to die for you. Even if you were the only one, He still would've died- just for you. We don't deserve to be loved like that. We are sinners saved by amazing grace and love that cannot be fully comprehended or compared. This Valentine's Day, I am extra thankful for that truth. I challenge you today, and everyday, to remember that no one will ever love you as much as Jesus does. His love for you is endless. It's patient and kind. It's not envious, boastful, prideful, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. It keeps absolutely no record of wrongs, and rejoices in truth rather than delighting in evil. True love will always protect, hope, and persevere. True and genuine love will never fail. If it does fail, then it was never love to begin with. I find so much peace in knowing that I will always be secure in His love, and I pray that each of you can rest in that peace as well.

Hug your loved ones extra tight today, and have a blessed Valentine's Day!