How Are You Loving?

In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, we are instructed to evaluate how we define love and how we live out love. I remember being raised by my grandparents, who had their own internal struggles with showing love. Most likely, it was a result of how they had experienced love themselves.

I can’t recall receiving one single hug from my grandparents. My grandfather, a sweet, gentle soul, would even tense up when you tried to hug him. GOD rest his soul.

I also don’t recall ever hearing the words, I love you from them. 

We knew they did, or else they would not have opened their homes to us. However, every child should feel loved by those entrusted to care for them. Every child should hear that they are loved.

Being taught about how to love inwardly and outwardly is important.

1 John 4:16 says that GOD is love. HE does not solely express love; HE is LOVE.

Furthermore, HIS love is not conditional, nor are there degrees to HIS love.

We have all heard of the endearing phrase, ” I love you more.”  However, aren’t we glad that HE does not love us “more”? HE simply and completely loves.

From HIS very first encounter with us, HIS love has not changed. HIS love has not grown. HIS love has not expanded or decreased.

What about your love?

There is an idiom that says, “how ya living“? The interpretation of the inquiry is, how are you doing?

GOD is asking us instead, how are you loving? Because love is not in what you say, it is in what you do, and the world is suffocating from a lack of HIS love.

The kind of love that crosses all races, ethnicities, cultures, and political party lines.

HIS love has to be funneled through you and me to have an impact on the earth. Are you loving with purpose or loving with degrees?  Instead of loving more, just love.

It’s self-reflection time…... how ya loving?

Bless the LORD Affirmation

Loving FATHER,

Thank YOU for loving us on our good days and our bad days. We recognize that YOU designed us to be portals from which YOUR love could have access to every soul that YOU created. Teach us how to forsake stipulations to love. Our souls love YOU, and we desire to love like YOU.

Bless the LORD, oh my soul and all (including my capacity to love) that is within me.

Bless YOUR Holy Name