Let's Talk About Love

 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Here is a subject that is going to make many of you very uncomfortable; love.  You see, I use to think I was this very loving person until I met my wife.  She is the most beautiful person I know inside and outside!  As much as I love her, she loves much better than me.  It inspires me to be a better lover of her, and together, we tend to love others even more.  I’m not saying this to be boastful and no, ours is not this all warm and fuzzy gooey thing all the time because we test each other in many ways.  But it is awe inspiring at times to see how loving my wife is.  Nothing makes me feel better than when she looks at me and says with the most sincere smile, “I love you.”  That’s as close to feeling God’s love as anything else I have ever known.

We should be comfortable talking about our love for others for we have the greatest love of all; God’s love.  My wife and me share this as our favorite verses (actually, it was hers first J).  The reason is it reminds us of the power that God’s love has not only over us but also those who we touch.  Think of a time in your life where things were really bad and nothing seemed to be going well.  But then the love of God came in, and it changed everything.  Maybe it was through some direct connection (mine was once through a song), and other times, it was someone who came into your life and showed the love that only God can inspire.  No matter the manner, the showing of God’s love to another person can be the genesis of something greater than that moment.  It can inspire them to a different path; one that leads to God and His will and purpose being revealed.

God’s love is perfect.  Paul in these verses captures each and every aspect of this love.  There are three key concepts that ring through loud and clear as we read it.  Love is.  Love always.  Love never fails.  Where do you fear loving another?  Who can you show more love toward?  My prayer is that when the time comes, we can willfully and fearlessly talk about love.  Amen.