God = Love

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

     "God IS love." How can anyone BE love? I can be loving, but I do not embody love, like God does. When we have God dwelling in our heart, we have his qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. This is why, when a Christian friend of mine was harrassed by an angry driver, she did not become aggravated. Rather, she prayed for that person. That is love.

     Jesus commands us to love one another as God loves us. Once you begin to talk to people and really listen to their stories, it's easy to see why this is such an important commandment.

     During the course of a day, just by conversing with those around me, I have heard some heartbreaking stories, reminding me of the need for love. One man's family is estranged from him; his grandson omitted his name from the invitation list for his wedding. One acquaintance told me she'd been raped when she was a teen. One of my best friends lost her daughter in a terrible accident. She must somehow endure unbearable burdens. There are those who struggle with alcohol addictions or hampering anxieties. This one lost a sister to cancer. That one's father has demetia and wants to "go home."

     Everyone has been created with a God-shaped hole. Everyone has stories of disappointment, discouragement or disillusionment. Are you willing to listen, offer prayer and be a bit of Jesus?

     I've loved this poem, though I do not know who wrote it:

 

Love One Another

 

"Love one another, as I have loved you"

May seem so very impossible to do,

But if you will try to trust and believe,

There are many great joys that you will receive.

 

For love makes us patient, understanding and kind,

As we judge with our hearts and not with our mind.

For as soon as love enters the heart's open door,

The faults we once saw are not there anymore.

 

And the things that seemed wrong begin to look right

When viewed in the softness of love's gentle light.

For love works in ways that are wondrous and strange,

And there is nothing in life that love cannot change.

 

 

PS: for added emphasis, replace the word "love" with "God", then reread the poem