Boldly Before the Thrown

What the heck even is love?

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Learning truly what love is comes from knowing Christ’s character and His heart for people.

Love is PATIENT: He is so patient with me. Every single time I fall. Every single time I run away from Him in the opposite direction. However, he enduringly loves me through this—constantly pursuing and calling me His child still. Patience is truly a virtue; it is not something that you just fall into—it is something that you consciously pursue through each and every circumstance and individual. Jesus, mesh my heart to be more like yours. Teach me to slow down and not to be reactive in every situation in my life. I refuse to be offended or live in a spirit of rejection.

Love is KIND: Phillip II was a devout religious man who loved the Lord; however he also founded the Spanish Inquisition which murdered Jews and Muslims in the name of God. It kinda sounds familiar. But maybe it sounds better when I do my devotions, listen to Jesus culture, and go to chapel, gathering , church and life-group; and then decide to treat those whom sin differently than me dreadfully, murdering the name of the same God. Abba, I want to live radically-- I am tired of living lukewarm. I want those who do not know you, to see you in me. I want your compassion and gentleness to ooze out of every single one of my pores.

Love does NOT ENVY: Envy is the position of a heart that can never be satisfied where it is at-- it constantly craves what someone else has. Envy destroys love, because it convinces a person that they could have it better with something or someone else. It steals joy. It steals peace. It steals gratitude. A heart which has been poisoned by envy, can never thank God for where they are or what they have, because to them it is never good enough. God put me where I am, with the circumstances I have – I must trust in Him through it all. Father, I refuse, I absolutely refuse, to base my happiness or my ability to love on the blessing I see in the lives of others. I want to see your face in every blessing I have, and praise with those around me for what you also given them.

Love does NOT BOAST: I need to shut up more; learning to listen is learning to love. Love does not flaunt its blessing in the face of others. Help me Father to master the art of silence and listening.

Love is NOT ARROGANT: Love is not about us. Love is not about what can help us. Love is considering others more important. Lord, let me see your face in all that I do. Let me feel your passions and your drives. I want to shed my selfishness, and instead pick up your coat of self-sacrifice.

Love is NOT RUDE: Real love takes into consideration a person’s past and present, and always desires to protect a person’s heart before opening its mouth. God, allow me to slow down and see how my words and actions hurt those around me.

Love is NOT SELF-SEEKING: This is the root of all unconditional love. It is not about me. It does not have to always be my way. God, help me to be patient enough to hear the opinions of other, but strong enough not to be swayed by them. Give me courage to stand up for what I believe and humility enough to stand up for others even when I would do it another way.

Love is NOT IRRITIABLE: Love is not easily angered. Love does not get frustrated at every little thing. In the life of a perfectionist this is one of the hardest attributes found in 1 Corinthians 13. I am not perfect, and every suggestion or comment given to me is not a judgment or criticism of my character. Life with all of its bumps and unexpected twists is not perfect either; therefore I cannot get angry every time things go slightly off course. Lord, I pray that you take my bad temper—and help me to discern situations and frustration.

Love KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS: The beauty of the Gospel is that God keeps all the good in you in a metaphorical heavenly ledger, and removes all of the bad when we ask for forgiveness. However when someone does something towards us, we often forget God’s example of grace. Jesus, I am sorry for not forgiving those whom have hurt me. I want to give the pain and bitterness to you. I want to live life with your grace as my example for forgiveness.

Love does NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL:  Others failure and shortcomings are not reason to celebrate or gossip, they are an opportunity to look in the mirror and recognize the same thing living inside of us. God break my heart for those who stumble and those who hurt. Teach me how to mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice. Awaken my soul with a spirit of conviction fueled by love, when I hear others are struggling in an area where I personally need breakthrough.

Love REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH: Love builds up even while correcting. Love is the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down. In truth there is nothing to hide. No secrets. No bondage. No regrets. No guilt. No shame. No condemnation. No accusation. Pure and beautiful FREEDOM.  Jesus, I want to be the kind of person who does not just like speaking the truth-- but actually enjoys receiving it, no matter how hard it is to hear. Help me become like this, teach me about meekness, teach me how to love and carry another’s burdens with them.

Love BEARS ALL THINGS: We all want love we can rely on, but we have seen so many great loves dissolve in front of us that many of us have become hard towards it at all. Real love can walk through fire of adversity unchanged and unhindered. Another translation says, “Love always protects”. When you encounter real love there is no cost too great and no service too burdensome. Lord, teach me to endure through hard situations with those in my life. Let me not run cowardly, but trust that you are in the middle and stand courageously.

Love always TRUSTS: We can always trust what God said. I can trust wholeheartedly that every promise in the Bible beginning with “whoever” is a promise for me. When loving others, I need to always believe the best in them. Father, help me walk with confidence of who you are. Take away the pain of past trusts gone bad, and let my heart be mended to love your people the way you want me to.

Love always HOPES: Jesus believes that no one is beyond hope; there are no hopeless cases in the kingdom. Everyone needs hope, but very few find it because they are looking in the wrong places. They look to relationships and money searching for what can only be found in love; perfect love. In love there is never a reason for anxiety or doubt—because love holds onto the promises of the Father. Love can never get its hope’s too high for tomorrow always hold the possibility of new adventure and a new opportunity. Hope is what allows me to believe for change. It allows me to believe that I can change, my circumstances can change, and tomorrow will look a lot brighter than today. Hope is never in vain when our hope is in the Lord and not in what we can accomplish ourselves. Abbba, allow me to have a renewed sense of hope. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel—I want to see your face.

Love always ENDURES: This is where Agape love came from. Jesus loves us unconditionally, and regardless of circumstances. Loving someone and suffering with them is the greatest of all loves. Jesus, I pray that you continue to place an agape, endless love in my heart. I want to love you, my brothers and sisters the way you love me.

LOVE NEVER FAILS: You can beat it. You can kick it. You can yell at it. You can stab it. You can tear at it. You can mock it. You can crucify it. You can bury it in the ground. You can guard it with professional soldiers. But love always finds a way. Beyond death. Beyond the grave. This is the beauty of the Christian message. Love never dies. Love never hides. Love never gives up. Love never shrinks back. Love never rejects. Love never takes advantage. Love never seeks control. Love had only one goal; freedom. It cannot be bought. It cannot be sold. It cannot be earned. It cannot be lost. Love is man and His name is Jesus. The greatest act of love in all of eternity was the cross. We deserved death, we got life. This is love. THANK YOU FATHER.

Love each other as I have loved you. // John 15:12