Love is ....

In the 20^th and 21^st centuries the media, fairytales and movies have helped to warp our perspective on love. We think we know what love is based on what we have seen and read. But do we really? How are we at love if people do not treat us with love, kindness or respect; the boy doesn’t ever “rescue the girl” or what if we feel our rights are violated?

I needed to ask myself if love was really changing my life. Before I could even ask myself that question, I knew I needed a fresh understanding of love. This led me to begin an in-depth study of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Those four “love” verses people look to when they want an explanation on the subject. I suspected my results were going to challenge how I lived, and why I did what I did. I wasn’t prepared for what God was going to show me.

I took several versions of these four verses and compiled the texts. I then arranged the statements into 2 groups: what love does not do and what love looks like. I think my hermeneutical skills were lacking, but God has used my findings to open my eyes and give me a concrete measuring stick. I pray He will use them to give you a fresh understanding of love too.

Love	does not sing its own praises. is not competitive, rude or rash. does not behave inappropriately. is not irritable, easily provoked or resentful. does not keep a list of wrongs or hurts. is heartbroken over sin and injustices. never loses hope.
Love	is always patient, kind and benign. knows no limits on hope. is happy with the truth. knows how to be silent. always believes the best. can endure any circumstance.

Our plans are not God’s plans.

We often conduct ourselves in a way that if we love Jesus, and do what is right in His eyes, we will get what we want in the end. Furthermore, we will be blessed with a comfortable lifestyle, surrounded by people who love us, think we are brilliant and have a wonderful job where we can grow and prosper. The problem is the Lord doesn’t promise this….at all. He may choose to give us some or all of what we want, but He doesn’t promise He will. We need to lay aside our desires and ideas of what we perceive our lives should be. Rather, we need to boldly ask God to reveal His plans to us, but the true test is will we have the character to accept His plan.

The truth is He wants us to do what is right, love (being) merciful and be humble before him (Micah 6:8).  He wants us to do this to bring Him glory and honor, not for any ulterior gain.

God does have a plan for our lives (Jer.29:11). Life crises are the great enforcer in making everyone involved lay aside their plans and accept God’s plans. The deciding factor is if we choose to do it with grace and mercy or will we miss joy in the journey.