Day Twenty-Four: Give Love

Give … Love

Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Eph 5:2

This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples--when they see the love you have for each other. John 13:35

I Corinthians 13 is considered the love chapter. Paul goes into great detail describing the intrinsic characteristics of love: unselfishness, kindness, patience, humility – the list goes on. We are even told that it is greater than faith and hope. Love is written about, sung about, and cried about. We all want love, but what is love?

We say things like, “I love that color,” or “I loved that book.” We use it on a daily basis to express our most basic feelings; but is love - true, deep, holy love - merely a one-dimensional, emotional response? I believe that love is a motivator, a catalyst, and a state of being.

Love motivated Christ to lay down his life. Love propelled him forward under the heavy burden of the cross. Love was born in human form and had a name: it was and still is Jesus.

Love must inspire us to give of ourselves; it must drive us forward, carrying the burdens of others; and it must distinguish us as we are born from above and grow in his likeness.

Father-God, deepen our understanding of Love. Let it never be just a word or an emotion. Let it be the identifiable mark of our relationship with You.