Why are so many people desperately seeking love – as if it can be found outside of them or in another person?
But what is love?
Genesis 1:27-28:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
That was the first love that was given to us, the creation of humanity in the image and likeness of the Lord.
How strong could love be?
Song of Solomon 8:6-7:
"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised."
This verses strongly emphasize that love is powerful.
For all the things that we must practice and keep in our hearts in order to attain and maintain peace, it is love.
Ephesians 4:2-3:
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
As we put God in the center of our lives, we shall let love reign in our temples.
Colossians 3:14:
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
For those who are of doubt of their love, let us remember how God love his wife.
Ephesians 5:25:
"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her."
Our hearts may sometimes feel chaos and despair but we must always celebrate the gift of love.
1 Corinthians 16:14:
"Do everything in love."
For all the times that we felt weak, and hate is trying to rule oneself, remember thar love has proven so many things in this world, even bulk of your hate won't win over love.
Romans 13:8:
"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
But how do we truly define love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: "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."
And can a single description or label contain the essence of love?
I won’t pretend to know everything about love, aside from all that I mentioned above and the love for family but I contend there are different types of love.
For example, I believe there is only one pure form of love, which the Greeks called Agape. Agape love is a more perfect form of love. It’s the love between a mother and a child or between God and man.
There is another form of love which many of us feel very connected to and that is Eros love. Eros was the Greek god of love. This form of love represents romantic or sexual love.
Being in love or falling in love can be equated to a euphoric state – similar to a drug-induced state. Yes, it’s fun and exciting but whether we know it or not, it’s usually just temporary.
And then what happens? Then our old feelings of not being good enough or feelings of lack may resurface. We might even think we are with thewrong person or we are the wrong person. Our thinking can get very wonky when it comes to love.
Relationships are created and nourished within one’s heart, and so the other person’s participation is not necessary though it may be desired. Remember, love is not controlling or demanding.
We should broaden the container we have created for love. Love need not be confi ned to a special, romantic relationship for love makes all relationships special.
Good article