Love is the word we hear in the media, in the movies, the songs, and campaigns around the world. “What the world needs now, is love sweet love, it’s the only thing, there is just too little of.” We talk about love as humans, yet I am not certain there is a full grasp or comprehension of what the word means. I, as a human, am stilling learning what love is and what it’s not. I will disclose some of what I have learned on my journey and maybe it will be inspiring for yours.

Love is more than feelings, for feelings can waiver and dissipate.

Love is more than admiration, fondness, and commonalities…for there may be moments of disappointment, misunderstandings, and grief.

Our culture promotes following our feelings, seeking people who make us feel good about ourselves, and looking for our own pleasure. Genuine love, God love, is interested in the best interests of the other person. It is an investment love. It does not require reminding us to do the right thing.

God love always seeks the highest good for the recipient of that love. Genuine love is not wishy washy, flakey or uncommitted. It does not leave you wondering where you stand. God love is demonstrative. It is internally motivated to give, to invest, to tell the truth, to honor, to connect, and provide support. This love is the greatest love of all. God love is compassionate and full of empathy.

Agape love is the love Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth) told His followers to demonstrate to each other and the world. “By this (agape love) people will know that you are my disciples.” He stated plainly and more than once that those who know Him would imitate Him in love.

With billions of professing Christians on the planet, why is it rare to encounter God love?

These are simply my assessments and not law.

1. Wounds surrounding God. People who believe God is hard, cold, punishing will have not issues being that way with others.
2. Religion over relationship. Going to a temple, church, or parish and participating in religious activities does not equal intimacy with God. The only way to love like God is to know God personally.
3. Love is hard, especially loving people who behave in unloving ways.
4. It requires time to grow in love.

If you throw in life experiences, prior hurts, soul wounding, upbringing, and a host of other factors you’ll find that there is only one who is perfect in love-God. God is love. Humans are imperfect and some people give what they think is love and it’s not love at all. It requires grace and soaking in God’s love to navigate through life on this planet.

There may be people you believe should love you and they simply cannot. They cannot give you what they do not possess. Maybe their ideas of God and themselves is flawed. Maybe their love is in the toddler phase, “Me first. That’s mine. I love you when you do what I want and make me happy.” Mature love is unselfish. It’s focused on the best interests of another, not just it’s own interests.

I truly believe love like this is rare. If you dare to allow God to love through you this way, it may cause tremendous heartache. People are not accustomed to this kind of love. It is a bright light that will warm some, frighten others, and infuriate those who have partnered with evil. It can evoke a full spectrum of responses and there are not all loving. You may feel it’s one sided as it’s rare to encounter this kind of love from a human. This love through Jesus led to the murder of Jesus.

I will tell you that though your heart may feel shredded in the process, and you may be misunderstood, it’s still worth it to give someone a glimpse of love.

I am still growing in this thing called love. It’s been costly and I don’t buy into the religious antics of “If you’re doing something for God, suck it up buttercup.” Jesus suffered greatly due to the actions of people and He was not singing worship songs in the Garden of Gethsemane. We can cut out the “Count it all joy,” and retain the humanity of Jesus. You may retain your humanity too. Love may cost you something.

I end this by saying, “Love is not lust,” for lust is self satisfying. “Love is not one sided,” for love desires to give. It is a flow of giving and receiving for both parties. “Love is not a consumer,” for it seeks to invest. “Love is not hidden,” it desires to be demonstrate itself. When someone loves you, it does not leave you guessing. When they love you, you don’t have to do all the work. When they love you, it is evident in actions. Obviously we cannot love every person we meet with the intensity we have for God and from God, it would take all our energy and focus. Only God can give people 24/7 care. We can choose kindness, patience, grace, mercy, truth, hope, compassion, justice, and to do no intentional harm.

I hope you choose to abide in the one who is love…You may be the first encounter someone has with real love in human flesh. Let God love through you.

Warm Regards,

Erin Lamb