by Sue Wayman
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour 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. Love never fails”.
1 Cor 13:4 – 8
When I was a teenager I always used to look forward to Valentine’s Day on 14th February. I anticipated getting a card from someone who truly loved me for myself. It never came.
Just before I turned 30, I did find the romantic love that I was looking for, but from my teens until then I had plenty of time to think about the difference between romantic, or human love, and the nature of the love that God offers us. Where human love can often disappoint, God’s love is abundant and never ends.
When I committed my life to following Jesus I gradually became aware that He was calling me to a much higher standard of loving others than I had practiced before.
Even though I frequently fail to love others selflessly, as the above verses speak of, l believe it is a wonderful standard to aim for. When I fall short, which of course I do, I can ask the Lord to forgive me. Once I have received that forgiveness, I can ask Holy Spirit to help me.
How wonderful it is to know that God accepts me as I am, with all my flaws, but that He is also cheering me on to greater things in Him.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7