“…through love serve and seek the best for one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].””

Galatians 5:13-14 AMP

Love. Four letters that seem so simple yet “love” is anything but simple. The Greek language has 8 different words that mean love while Spanish has 30 different phrases to express love to another. 

But what is love? We say we fall into it and maybe even fall out of it. Personally, I feel that analogy is misguided at best. “Loving” someone is not an accident you trip into. I believe it is something you choose to do or not do. I believe it is an intentional act that may or may not be accompanied by feelings. I believe love is a choice that has to be made. 

It’s easy reciprocate love when a person demonstrates their love to us through actions such as kindness, gentleness, patience, etc. and much harder – if not impossible- to reciprocate when the actions are missing. 

But feelings really shouldn’t matter and shouldn’t dictate my response. I can choose to love another – to agapē – show brotherly affection, kindness benevolence, and good will to another – as it says in this passage. Those are actions I can control. Those are actions I can choose. After all, it’s what my Savior did when He hung on the cross. He showed good will to me in abundance. It’s the least I can do to those around me. 

Father – thank You for Your word. Help me to be more like You. You are good and You keep going good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Galatians 4-6

November 25, 2022