Contributing Writer: Virginia Davidson
Young Love strolls down the boardwalk hand in hand. Life is sweet and indescribable feelings of excitement crowd the sidewalk.
Weeks, months, years pass, life (and 10 lbs) happens and the scheduling of dates falls by the wayside. The butterflies no longer visit when hands are held. The “lovin’ feeling” is gone….or is it?
The idea that we can or should “feel” everything in life is dangerous.
The heart is deceptive and tells us that if we’ve lost these feelings, love is gone. The heart tells us to go in search for more. Isn’t love more than just a feeling?
True love isn’t based on feelings – yes, the feelings are there at times, but it’s not what makes it real. They’re more like the icing on the cake than the foundation.
So what does true love look like? I can’t even fathom trying to describe it completely. Here are just a few things I think true love is, but first we’ll look in the Bible;
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. ~ I Corinthians 13:4-6 (NIRV)
- True love ACTS – Serving when it’s needed, sitting and listening at other times. Acting with the other person in mind.
- True love SACRIFICES (time, resources, life)
No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13 (NIRV)
- True love NEVER LEAVES – Read these amazing words God said to Joshua.
- True love HOPES & ENDURES – How awe-inspiring are words of encouragement in the middle of the toughest times. I want to possess this.
- True love SEEKS & WANTS TO BE SOUGHT – There’s something about being sought that shows our true hearts. Where our priorities lie. God promises in His Word that we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart.
- True love REQUIRES TIME – if we don’t make (notice I didn’t say have) the time to invest in a relationship it’s hard to grow closer.
I cannot show true, perfect love to anyone. It’s just not in me. I can practice this and choose (with God’s help) to live like this, but none of us will ever love perfectly as Jesus does. Single or married we can all experience THE Ultimate & True Love in God. Thankfully we can pray to God for wisdom, patience, peace, kindness, love and He can and will change us.
The moments of butterflies are amazing, but I desire the deeper love. Love that sacrifices, seeks and endures.
image via flickr-demandaj