What Does Love Mean to You?

Today, week 2 day 2, we’re heading into a very well-known, and read, part of scripture: 1 Corinthians 13. I love that Jen takes us back there as it teaches us no matter how many times you read God’s Word we can always find something new in it.

What I’ve taken from this passage is that above all things, love matters most. Love is shown in what we do, how we are, where we go, why we act in a certain way. When we lack love, true love, something becomes missing in our lives. Things can tend to cease if we forget love.

a. What is the big picture?

That love stands above it all. Love conquers hate. When we have love we have so much.

What is God trying to say?

He’s helping us to see that not only IS love important, but WHY it is. Why we need it. Why it matters not just to us as human beings, but to God, OUR Heavenly Father. The one Person, one Being, one Spirit who’s loved us in a perfect way. A way all of us should not only strive to love Him back in the same way, same manner, but also those ALL around us. Even those that are hard to love like murders, or even family members.

b. What does God want you to walk away with more than anything else today?

That when I follow the path of love I’m willing, not forced, into letting things go. That in all things, the good, the bad, the ugly, or even the tragic, that love is loving us with a perfect love. That He truly cares. That I matter.

So much may not make sense to me, around me, but God already does on my behalf. The fact remains I don’t need to understand, even though I want to. I just have to trust this above ALL things.

c. What is the ironclad truth of this passage?

It’s through love that the peace the world continually strives for, but never gets, will happen. If everyone followed the verses 4-8a, then we’d all have the peace so many of us desperately want but continues to elude us.

Does the world see this as truth?

I almost have to laugh as this would be a resounding no. the closer we get to the end times the more the world isn’t at peace, ultimately lacking the love so many search for and need. In the end, God is missing from so many lives. He is the example of love the world not only should follow, but needs to follow, but either doesn’t or won’t due to stubbornness or pride.

Love is a funny thing. We all want it but so many of us miss the mark and misunderstand what love really is. We won’t find love in riches. In owning STUFF. Through a tirade of people. A plethora of books, music, TV or movies. We must first look within to find the love within ourselves and give that love to Jesus. In turn, His Holy Spirit will help us love others like our spouses, our children, and so many others.

Today is a new understanding of love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

NIV
“⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
“⁸Love never fails.”

ICB
“⁴Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. ⁵Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. ⁶Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices over the truth. ⁷Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always continues strong.
“⁸Love never ends.”

The Voice
⁴“Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; ⁵it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs ⁶or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! ⁷Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. ⁸Love will never become obsolete.”

And love is also knowing when to let go.

We loved our daughter so much that we let her go home to see Jesus on July 16, 2008, when we were told she was no longer the little girl we knew and loved.