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 cliched 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" 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