Far From Easy
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Insight
We have a view of the world that frames everything we see, and for many of us, fear serves as our dominant lens. Whether it be the fear of missing out, the fear of letting go, or the fear of rejection, fear grips our hearts. It also influences our connections, both with God and others. Our fears create more conflict, strife, and the cycle of distrust continues.
Don't let those pesky Hallmark greeting cards fool you. Love is far from easy. It can be difficult and demanding. It involves risk and vulnerability. It entails perseverance, determination, and grit. Relationships are not efficient, and neither are people.
In any given relationship, there are competing agendas that battle against one another. We spend our day pushing self-promotion or punished by self-condemnation. Our "Me first" approach to relationships leave us living in the camp of entitlement, where we get what we deserve.
Loving others isn't a blip on our radar when your primary concern is advancing ourselves at the expense of others. We become ourselves by denying ourselves and embracing a much different way.
We all want to be loved as well as wish we were more loving. However, until we address how the presence of fear shapes our connections, we'll never experience or express love.
Why? Because the presence of fear is the absence of love. By acknowledging our concerns, we bring them to the surface so God's love can touch them. His love never fails, which means it never runs out or gives up.
Love is a force that breathes value and worth into one another. The exchange of love takes place in our relationships. It's the framework through which love gets expressed and experienced.
The greatest gift we can give is to know one another deeply and love unconditionally. After all, this is how God loves us. We have to get gut-level honest about our relationships and the job we are doing regarding living together and sharing in community.
Intimacy requires awareness, both about ourselves and our connections. We can't share if we aren't aware. Intimacy isn't the absence of conflict, but rather a safe place to resolve it.
Reflection
Where does your love need to get gritty?
How is fear influencing your relationships with others and your willingness to display love?
What aspect of love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 are you finding most challenging to display in a problematic relationship?
Prayer
Lord, may I pursue true connections with those around me - relationships that are defined by humility and love. Instead of retreating when things get difficult or messy, I want to display the grit and courage to love anyway. Break down those walls around my heart. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
