Love

        Love.  An interesting commodity, this thing we call love.  It can’t be caught, bought, or sold.  Yet, it is more sought after than anything else.  Its value is immeasurable, exceeding the most precious of metals and jewels.  However, it is something that each of us possess.  Even though we cannot sell it, we can give it.  To offer our love to another is perhaps the most exciting thing we can do.  In loving we open ourselves up to be hurt, as well as, to reap joy beyond comprehension.

        The Bible tells us that if we do not love, we do not know God, for He is love.  Understand the concept being put forth.  It is not in our being loved that we know God.  Rather, it is in our loving others that we know God.  He is our guiding principle in this matter.  He loves us without our loving Him.  It has been His eternal goal to love mankind with the deepest of all loves.  His love has never been dependent upon reciprocation.  Indeed, He loves us while we are yet His enemy.  However, it is only in our loving Him that we can truly appreciate the fullness of His love.

        Do you think it is unreasonable to assume the principle of Divine love is the same love we can enjoy as humans?  Think about it.  Can we not also love others who do not love us?  Of course, we have the capacity to do so.  We just don’t often choose to exercise that privilege.  And yet, it is well within our power to choose to love anyone.  When we make that choice, we must do so with commitment.  Otherwise, our love would be weak and pretty useless.  When we do make that commitment, we open ourselves up to heavenly treasures.  You see, God does not do that which is foolish or without a purpose pleasing to Himself.  Therefore, when we follow His example, committing to love as He does, we too are not acting foolishly or without a purpose.  The pleasure is in doing, not necessarily in receiving.  Although, it does seem to be a benefit of loving – that is, receiving.  But, our loving should never depend upon getting it in return.  We should, rather, relish in the opportunity to give that which God has so graciously given us.