What is Love?

Do you remember that song, "What is Love?"?  I think it went something like this, "What is love?  Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more."  

I know, I know.  By now you are busting out laughing or rolling your eyes; OR maybe you've just decided to delete this blog post.  Please, Friend - do stay with me, because I promise there is more to this blog than just reliving some silly 90's song.  

In my life, I have so gratefully been able to experience many types of love.  I have been blessed to see, first-hand, the most beautiful types of this intricate emotion - this verb and noun.  Up close, I have witnessed what love should be, what love is meant to be, and what love could be.  And unfortunately, I have seen love abused and manipulated; evil and selfishness masked as "love".  

Many times I have wondered why God has allowed us to be in the situations we are in as a family.  For me as a woman - what are all of the purposes of these trials and sufferings (I promise,  I know I am not the only one suffering or hurting)?  One of those purposes, I believe is to share Truth.  And today, I would like to share with you what God has laid upon my heart about love.  

You may or may not be a Believer.  You may or may not believe in the power of the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  Friend, no matter what you believe, you really cannot discard the breathtakingly beautiful true definition of love in the Bible . . . 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 I Corinthians 13:4-7

For me, love is sacrifice.  Plain and simple.  True sacrifice.  If it doesn't cost you something then it is NOT LOVE.  And sacrifice means SERVICE. That's it for me, Friends.  Bottom line - LOVE IS SACRIFICE and SERVICE. What is love for you? What does it look like? As Easter approaches, the picture of ultimate sacrifice and service by Jesus on the cross, I encourage you to ask yourself some questions:

• What is your love/service costing you?
• Is it comfortable?
• Is it hard to do physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? 
• Do you "love" and serve in order to get accolades?  
• Are you seeking attention by engaging in this act? 

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing". 

I Corinthians 13:1-3

As Believers, our lives should be reflections of Jesus; the true and ultimate guide, the most beautifully perfect picture Love.  We must strive to live a life of love.  And as humans, we need love to well.  We need to serve well.  We cannot get through life without human love because human love is the extension of Christ's love; the Kingdom of God on this earth.  

Love is NOT shouting out your good actions for the world to see so that you will get the recognition you are craving.  If that is what you are looking for, stop and seek your attention somewhere else.  

Love is NOT doing something out of convenience.  If it doesn't cost you something and if it isn't uncomfortable, then it isn't LOVE.  Jesus loved us in every action - he was constantly giving, serving, sacrificing His reputation and His life.  If you are doing something ONLY because it is convenient, then it isn't really LOVE.  Do more!  

Love is falling on your face and being humble.  It's living out the example of Christ - giving everything up for the sake of others.  

Being in ministry, I have seen mothers change the diapers of their teenagers.  LOVE. I have seen fathers wipe drool from their adult children.  LOVE.  I have seen adult men hold the arms of their elderly mothers as they walk down the stairs.  LOVE.  I have seen a mother hold their child so tight because of the child's need for sensory input.  LOVE.  I have seen precious mommas kiss the lips of their dead children, one last time.  LOVE.  I have seen strangers cleaning up after the sick, helping people who are lost; I've seen people give up their last dime so that others can eat.  Missionaries who give their lives to share the Gospel and their families who stay behind, faithfully keeping things going on the frontlines.  People making life and death decisions, people feeding the poor, those wrapping gifts for others at Christmas . . . the list could go on and on (isn't that breathtaking in and of itself?  Endless ways to love!).  Truly though, love can be so simple.  Reckless love does not have to be life or death.

Sacrifice can be simple - leaving a note for someone who has been having a hard time.  Picking up extra groceries for a family who is struggling.  Maybe you could secretly mow your friend's lawn or shoot an encouraging text.  For someone who has felt much pain and heartache, I can tell you that any act of love means more than you could ever know.  NOTHING IS TOO SMALL.  If you feel led to do something, even in the slightest, go and do it!  Do NOT miss the opportunity to bless others because you will end up being blessed as well.  

My hope is that you will re-evaluate the way you love your family, your spouse, your community, your world, your God.  My hope is that your soul will be awakened to the true meaning of love - God's meaning of love.  Sacrifice.  Service.  My prayer is that your love will change and that it will impact everyone around you, and when it does, it will change your heart and will change the way you view Jesus.  When you understand what true love is, what Jesus has done for you, what Jesus DOES for you on a continual basis, you will fall more in love with Him.  Over and over and over again, you will fall in love with Him as the unveiling of the magnitude of God's sacrifice is unfolded before you.  And do you know how that happens?  It starts with you loving others.  Loving others recklessly, in service and with sacrifice.    

What is love to you?  Go out and love your world today and be blessed by the precious ways God in turn shows His love to you, Sweet One!