Love More
Happy February! There is something about February that I love. I don’t know why, but all of the hearts and pink in the month buried between Christmas and springtime sparks joy. It’s not that I’m a hopeless romantic (because I’m not), but I do love expressing love to my family all month long.
I remember my first married Valentine’s Day. My husband and I were going to bible college and could barely afford rent let alone anything else extra. My lofty dreams of what Valentine’s Day would be like as newlyweds came crashing down when I realized our Valentine’s plans had a $10 budget. At first, I was mad at my hubby— I mean, wasn’t he supposed to pull off something spectacular even though we were broke (thinks young and naive me)? Then I decided that I would make it great. I went to the dollar store, grabbed cheap décor, made a sign that read “The Terrace Restaurant” and created a romantic makeshift Italian bistro on our small porch. It was one of the best Valentine’s Days we’ve ever had. My lesson in love that year was that love has less to do with what someone can give me and is more about what I can give.
In relationships, it’s easy to focus on ourselves, to become victims of the “me” mentality. Love isn’t about me at all. God demonstrated love by giving us Jesus, the most selfless act ever done. Out of His example, He shows us throughout His word time and time again that to love is to get the focus off of self. In fact, the Bible likens love to dying. In John 15:3 the Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” To love is to sacrifice what you want, need, or desire for the sake of another. This kind of love transforms marriages, relationships with children, and brings peace to friendships. Love requires self-denial.
Not only does the Bible tell us how to love our friends and family more perfectly, but He even tells us how love is to operate with our enemies. Matthew 5:44 reminds us that even when dealing with those we would consider enemies we are to love, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” -- say what? Of course, it’s easy to love those we like and choose to be around, but those who are against us? I remember one time in my life a person had spoken something about me for what felt like the millionth time. While I wouldn’t consider this person an enemy (in fact I considered this person someone I should have been able to look up to as a role model) my heart was hurting. I remember asking the Lord if He was watching how this person had treated me. Surely God was going to do something like smite them, right? In my asking God for advice, I thought He was going to tell me to just cut them off. Instead, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Love more”. What? I am the one hurt here. But He repeated, “Love more.” The key to reconciliation and healing in this situation was to let go of bitterness, unforgiveness, and pain and to choose to see this person through the eyes of heaven.
When we are instructed to pray for our enemies, God wants us to pray until we get His heart for them. When we receive His love we can look at the people who have wronged us with His perspective. His love for them floods our hearts and with that comes healing, protection, compassion, and blessing. Just as His love for us covered a multitude of sins--His love for those who hurt us flooding through us covers a multitude of sins. Love is the ultimate place of freedom!
So, as we enter into love month, let’s ask God to help us become more like Him—to become love. Let’s try to focus less on ourselves and more on others. Let’s pray for our enemies and bless those who wrong us. As we do our part God’s love will work miracles in, through, and all around us! Remember, there are no perfect people—just perfect love!