My first question when I come across married couples is, “How did you meet?”
It has even become a joke in our family because I have more background about how my aunts and uncles met and started their love stories than my parents.
My mom has always been amused by my curiosity, but I attribute it to the fact that I really love “love” and have wondered if there is a formula growing up.
By asking close family and friends, I seek the starting point of where it all started for them.
However, despite all the romantic stories, ultimately my asking has led me to the true source of love.
Where does true love originate from?
Origin of Love
The real beginning of love originates from God.
In 1 John 4:19, we read,
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)
This is the starting point of love. God is the author of love and through his demonstration of His love for us, we love others.
Also, God’s example of love is not the type of love we see mostly in Hollywood type of movies, but rather a truly sacrificial love.
God sacrificed His perfect son for the wages of our sin, so we can have life.
Definition of Love
Now that we know the origin of love, what is love?
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we read,
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
It is sometimes good to reflect and ask, do I demonstrate this type of love?
Is my love for others patient, is it filled with kindness?
Do I show a love that insists on its own way or rather a love that rejoices with truth?
Does it honor others?
Does it keep record of wrongs?
In the NIV version, it says,
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs”- 1 Corinthians 13:5
Called to Love Others
Our greatest call in life is to love others authentically.
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.- Romans 13:8-10
Love is not meant to intentionally hurt those around us.
As we read in the above passage, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Prayer
God, I receive the love that you pour into me. I ask that you teach me how to love like how you love. I know that I can’t love others the way you call me to love within myself, but rather I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead me. I pray for a love that is patient and kind. I pray that my love for others isn’t focused on counting others’ wrongs, one that isn’t easily angered, but one that truly sees others. Show me how to honor others with my love and see them the way you see them.
Graceful Strides 