What does Love really mean?

Love…
This time of year revolves around that one simple but powerful word and all things connected to it.
It has so many different meanings, that it is almost a cliche… and to some, it is.

Do we know what Love really is? Can we put it into words?
Or is the word ‘Love’ more like a photograph - worth a thousand words?

Personally, I think it is much simpler than that.
And I will do my best to share with you how I see and understand ‘Love’.

First of all, let me say what Love is NOT - Lust. They are completely opposite of one another.
Yet, our modern culture likes to confuse you and make you think that they are one and the same.

That way, they can sell you more ’sex(y)’ things. And you all know what I am referring to.
These ’sexy’ things cause men and women to run around ‘loving’ like crazy… again, you already know, so I’ll spare the details.

In essence, the real meaning of Love has become perverted through the mixed messages of our modern life.
And this has been going on for a loooong time, it is nothing new. And neither is my commentary I’m sure.
But I felt it necessary to share how I feel on this day of Love.

Everyone sees Love (at least at this time of year) as having to do with ’sexual passion’
What a pity, since love is so much more meaningful and so much deeper than the shallowness of sexual passion.
What people are really celebrating anymore is Lust.

As I said, Love is so much more than sexual passion.

Love as defined by the bible in 1 Corinthians 13-

“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.”

Love never fails.

Wow! It is an all encompassing thing! Known as Agape in the Greek.
This Agape comes directly from God, and it dwells in those who wish to love others as He loves us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Now that is true Love. To lay down one’s life for the whole of mankind and creation, so that we may have entrance into His kingdom…
For that kind of Love I am eternally grateful.

In fact, that reminds me of what my daughter, Faith said when she was around three years old.
She was an early talker (like most girls I’ve heard) and has always been very sweet.

One day, while sitting with her on her bed, showing her pictures in a book - she pointed up the the crucifix we have over her bed.
She said to me “He’s broken…” Obviously referring to Jesus as he hung on the Cross.
To which I responded, “Yes honey, he is. But he is okay now. He …”
She interupted me at that point and said simply but matter of factly, “That’s Love”.

I, of course, got all teared up. Here was my daughter, too young to understand theology and scripture, yet she understood the meaning of the Cross.

I hope I never forget her sweet voice as she said those words.

Love - although extremely complex and can be defined in numerous ways, is really very simple and matter of fact.
Even though everyone of us (myself included) will be thinking of flowers, cards, gifts, dinners etc. on this day,

I simply wanted to offer you all my gift of what Love really means - that gift was my daughter Faith’s simple witness.

Hopefully you’ll take that to heart and it will cause you to view this holiday (Holy Day) in a new light.
And that you will focus on the definition of Love and apply it to your daily life - I know I will be.

I could go on, but there really is no need.
Thank you for allowing me to share this simple thought process with you.

God Bless!

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”