When Love Fails
Do you love God?
Before you jump to say yes to this question, let's take a moment to explore exactly what love is.
Love is patient... Love means waiting without complaining when prayers aren't answered. Love means hanging on when God seems to be distant. Love means standing strong through times of suffering that don't seem to end.
Love is kind... It means fighting the tendency to revert to frustrated anger when you get cut off during rush hour or have to wait behind the loud talker in the grocery store. It means reaching out to those who are suffering every day, even when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means loving the oppressors just as much as the oppressed.
It does not envy... It means being content in situations that the world says are not okay. Being content when you're single. Being content when you're waiting for the next step in life. Being content when it seems as though all those around you are taking the "easy way out" and getting rewarded.
It does not boast, it is not proud... even when it has done a good job and feels that it deserves a bit of acknowledgement. It means being okay with doing good, praying, serving, and honoring God, even when there is no recognition involved.
It does not dishonor others... You know that really annoying guy in your 7:50 that brings out the worst in you? You know that coworker that is impossible to get along with? It means not complaining about them, even when it's justified. It means biting your tongue and suppressing the eye roll, no matter how unnecessary that last comment was.
It is not self-seeking... Love does not mean following God for joy or peace or fulfillment or heaven. It means following God because you love Him. Following him through the pain, through the chaos, and through the loss.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of being wronged... Love means knowing you can't reason, negotiate or outwit God. It means accepting that when something happens that we don't like or understands, God is still working for the good of those who love Him.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth... even with the truth hurts. Even when the truth means giving up an unhealthy relationship, a powerful addiction, or a crippling fear.
It always protects... in the face of danger, in the face of struggle, in the face of an unpopular decision, it will protect the way it knows to be just.
Always trusts... When it seems impossible that things will work out. When you're certain the reward doesn't outweigh the cost. When God's way seems ridiculous or painful or pointless.
Always hopes... When God says yes. When God says no. When God says not yet. When God doesn't seem to be anywhere.
Always perseveres... When you're too weak to stand. When you're too tired to go on. When you struggle to comprehend why. When it's all you can do just to get up in the morning.
Before you jump to say yes to this question, let's take a moment to explore exactly what love is.
Love is patient... Love means waiting without complaining when prayers aren't answered. Love means hanging on when God seems to be distant. Love means standing strong through times of suffering that don't seem to end.
Love is kind... It means fighting the tendency to revert to frustrated anger when you get cut off during rush hour or have to wait behind the loud talker in the grocery store. It means reaching out to those who are suffering every day, even when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means loving the oppressors just as much as the oppressed.
It does not envy... It means being content in situations that the world says are not okay. Being content when you're single. Being content when you're waiting for the next step in life. Being content when it seems as though all those around you are taking the "easy way out" and getting rewarded.
It does not boast, it is not proud... even when it has done a good job and feels that it deserves a bit of acknowledgement. It means being okay with doing good, praying, serving, and honoring God, even when there is no recognition involved.
It does not dishonor others... You know that really annoying guy in your 7:50 that brings out the worst in you? You know that coworker that is impossible to get along with? It means not complaining about them, even when it's justified. It means biting your tongue and suppressing the eye roll, no matter how unnecessary that last comment was.
It is not self-seeking... Love does not mean following God for joy or peace or fulfillment or heaven. It means following God because you love Him. Following him through the pain, through the chaos, and through the loss.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of being wronged... Love means knowing you can't reason, negotiate or outwit God. It means accepting that when something happens that we don't like or understands, God is still working for the good of those who love Him.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth... even with the truth hurts. Even when the truth means giving up an unhealthy relationship, a powerful addiction, or a crippling fear.
It always protects... in the face of danger, in the face of struggle, in the face of an unpopular decision, it will protect the way it knows to be just.
Always trusts... When it seems impossible that things will work out. When you're certain the reward doesn't outweigh the cost. When God's way seems ridiculous or painful or pointless.
Always hopes... When God says yes. When God says no. When God says not yet. When God doesn't seem to be anywhere.
Always perseveres... When you're too weak to stand. When you're too tired to go on. When you struggle to comprehend why. When it's all you can do just to get up in the morning.
Do you love God? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" (Luke 10:27).
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