Love is….

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 

Love is not two star crossed lovers connecting despite warring families

Love is not a feeling

Love is not wedding bells and white dresses

Love is not a post coital hormone release

Love is not a weapon of manipulation

Love is not a parasitic relationship

Love is not found in fairy tales or in the pages of romance novels

Love is debasing oneself solely for the purpose of training and saving those who have nothing to give in return

Love is faithfulness in the wake of false conviction

Love is faithfulness while wearing a crown of thorns

Love is faithfulness through scourging

Love is faithfulness through crucifixion

Love is faithfulness through the taste of bitter wine

Love is faithfulness while enduring a pierced side

Love is faithfulness to the mission while watching a crap game for your blood stained garments

Love is sacrificing a seat on a throne to endure pain, rejection and execution at the hands of those you’ve been sent to redeem

Love is strange fruit nailed to a tree

 

Further Reading:

1 Corinthians 13

 

Prayer:

Father God we humble ourselves before you

We thank you for loving us beyond anything our human minds can comprehend

We thank you for your body which was broken for us and your blood that was spilled to cover our sins

We thank you for your sacrifice even though we are not worthy

We ask for forgiveness for minimizing the action of love

We thank you for loving us in spite of us and we ask that you would teach us to actively love all people in a manner that is pleasing to you

In Jesus’ name we pray

Amen