Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, March 16, 2016
As I have said many times in our devotional thoughts, love is one of the most overused, misunderstood terms in our vocabulary. It is a high and holy principle born in the bosom of God, yet we apply it to the silliest situations. We say we love our cars, homes, jobs, and others’ clothing. We say we love hairstyles, shoes, and our downtime. We say we love certain music, television programs, and magazine articles. If love is a high standard, which God actually equates with Himself, how could it be that we apply it so loosely?
This wonderful principle of love elevates us to higher levels of relationship. Good parents love their children to the point that there is nothing they would not do to lookout for their protection, wellbeing, and adjustment in this saga called life. Parents nurture, discipline, and model good character for their children. They make themselves available to be whatever their children need that will enrich their lives. This is love.
Spouses love one another by showing mutual respect, admiration, and integrity in their relationships. They do not neglect to verbalize their love and match the words with actions. They do their best to preserve trust and an atmosphere of cooperation in their homes, all for the common good. They use words to edify, not to denigrate. This is love.
Strangers often show an unexpected essence of love when they give of their time to help those in need. There are many who have little or no food, and these individuals satisfy the need. Those who love may go into schools to help young minds grasp the deeper things in life and to become contributing members in society. Without even knowing those they seek to help initially, they are committed to pouring into the lives of others, rather than always taking. This is love.
And, of course, God loves us so much, that He gave His spotless Son to die for our sins (John 3:16), even though many of us do not yet appreciate Him (Romans 5:8). God’s love is so targeted to pierce the recesses of our hearts (John 15:13), as to hopefully win us over for an eternity with Him. Absolute love does not find pleasure in keeping a record of wrongs committed by others, but searches for ways to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is love.
Love is a mighty splendored thing. Why not find someone to share it with today? Make a difference in someone’s life, to the glory of God. Amen.
