June 14, 2021

“let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” — 1 John 3:18

My child, I love you! I can never say this enough. Let’s make sure you understand what love is and isn’t. Love is much more than a feeling. It’s more than an emotion. It’s not something we feel in the moment. Love doesn’t come and go based on circumstances. Love never fails! Which means love endures the peaks and valleys of a relationship. It’s easy to love on the mountain top. But true love grows in the valleys—where the view isn’t as nice, it’s darker, and obstacles seem insurmountable. True love has no deal breakers. It only grows despite the circumstances. Love exists within a relationship. Many have claimed to love in a relationship only to realize they only liked what one could offer at the moment. And it’s this, My child, why so many relationships have failed. I created all of humanity to be relational—to love Me first, and then others. But when sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, that relational nature now competes with self. The two are incompatible, yet somehow the world falsely intertwines them and calls it love. In this toxic mix, self often wins out and ends the relationship. That’s not love, as love cannot fail! Love is about selflessly serving another and not expecting anything in return. When both are doing this, love grows! I know you love Me. And I know you love others. You don’t love perfectly. But neither does anyone else. I’m the only One Who does. But despite your imperfections on how you execute love, I know your heart. I know your intent. You do love! Your execution of love is flawed because you’re trying to do it in a fallen world where self reigns. But it doesn’t mean you don’t love. I know you won’t quit loving Me, but don’t quit on others—especially the ones who are causing you strife. Keep loving them. Keep looking to Me as the model to love. And what model is that? Check out Romans 5:8. I love you, My child!

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” —Romans 5:8

“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. Love never fails.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8