1 Cor 13:4-7 “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.” NIV
Love is a word that has become so clichéd that we, as humans, use it like we use the telephone-very casual. We never consider that our telephone won’t ring, or for some unknown reason we may not have access to it-we just expect it to be available. Love can be seen in the same light most of the time, in our current day and age. Oh we might say, “I love you” to someone and sort of mean it, but we give no second glance as to whether our actions even back up what we say.
In my world the use of the word “love” almost makes me want to vomit. People you hardly even know, or may have known for a week or two, will quickly say the words: “I love you.” However, you often wonder if they know what the word even means or represents, because God’s love was a demonstration-not just a word. Many souls are hungry for love and affection, looking in a vast area of places to find it, only to come up thoroughly empty. I believe we have a love deficiency in our world today, and the chaos used to try and fill that emptiness is wearing everyone out. I know I desire that warm, loyal, close, sensitive, person-who will really love me. The sad part is: most people, even Christians, haven’t the slightest idea about what love looks like.
The Bible says, my paraphrase, that love is patient and kind. Love is never easily offended and keeps no records of wrongdoing. Love cries with you when you’re sad-and rejoices with you when you’re happy. Love reaches into the darkness of despair and gives a gentle hand out-do you have this kind of love in your life? Where are you looking for your love “fix?” Is it the town bar? Maybe it’s a group of shallow friends who use you when they need you. Are you looking for love through sex? Or maybe you’re looking for love where it is “supposed” to be found, the church, and are still empty-handed. I have a message of hope for anyone who is love-sick: God is Love.
God does not just say I love you and throw you to the curb. God not only make promises to stand by your side; he is with you when the storm hits. God demonstrated his love for you and me by sending his son: HE USED ACTION. Maybe it’s time for Christians to start walking the talk, and using less of the word. Times can be very tough, boy don’t I know; however God IS love and will never leave your side. When you feel that sense of longing, and your soul is weeping to be touched-run to God. Instead of using the phone, computer, television, or friends to cover that need-turn towards your maker, and you will finally find out about true love.
Rob Price robprice33@gmail.com