Discovering what love is one day at a time
I want to be authentic, no falsehood, or imitation. Authentic is real, true to one's own spirit or character. Authentic conforms to an original so as to reproduce essential features. It is made or done in the same way as the original. Authentic is authoritative. It is worthy of acceptance or belief. Counterfeit, should not be believed or accepted as okay.
I have found love that is greater than life itself, that love is Jesus Christ. Pure maple syrup v.s. cheapo imitation maple syrup…You know the difference immediately…by taste, label, and the cost. Real is expensive…It costs you something, but there is gain in the cost. Imitation costs less; however, it doesn’t even come close to the benefits of authenticity. Authentic is honest, it is real, it is right, it is being what is actually and exactly what is claimed, actual character not counterfeited imitated or adulterated, its bona fide, good faith and sincerity of intention. Authentic is not fake or phony, or bogus. God is love. Jesus Christ is love. Jesus Christ is authentic. He is Truth. He is Life. He is Love. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. That is a commandment. Commandment means command…not if you want to, or when it works for you, or when you are ready or if you feel like it. We are commanded to love. Love suffers long. It submits to or can be forced to endure. It feels keenly, it has quick and ardent responsiveness; it is eager and enthusiastic in its suffering. It puts up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable, it undergoes the experience, it allows especially by reason of indifference. Love suffers; it endures pain, death or distress. It sustains loss or damage; it is subject to disability or handicap…It suffers long, extending for a considerable distance, having a greater length than desirable or even necessary. Love is kind. It is affectionate, it is inclined, disposed to, has affection or warm regard for, it is motivated by affection, it is tender, loving, devoted to, fond of. Love goes towards always. Love is not indifference, disgust or intolerance, nor is it disdain, or scorn. Love never loathes, detests, resents, or looks askance at. Love is not antipathy, settled aversion or dislike. Love does not desire to cause pain or injury or distress. Love is never dishonor or disregard. Love values. Love does not parade, or lord over as marshal over those that are bound, it is not performance, love is not ostentatious, nor is it unrefined. Love does not postpone, nor does it love less or slight. Love does not retaliate or inflict punishment. Love rejoices in truth, it believes, it hopes, it endures, it is victorious, and it does not fail. Love cherishes, it looks for opportunity to serve, and it desires restoration and rebuilding and rebirth. Love is action it is sacrifice and the willingness to give without reward. Love loves no matter what. Love looks like something. There is no other love like the life and love of Jesus. It is only available for us to give it if we have received it from Him. In order for me to be authentic with others I have to be real with myself and be real with God. It costs. But the cost is miniscule to the gain that I receive. It is life and life abundantly. Authenticity makes no room for lies, in fact, it destroys lies. There is no reason to allow any counterfeit access. I have to live my life in constant communion with God, so that when He is showing me my lack of love, for Him, others and myself, when He is showing me the lies that I am living, believing or allowing. I can ask Him the tough questions. Why Lord? Why do I act like that? What is in me that does not belong? What does that look like to others? When I am in conversation with others, I can speak the truth about my feelings and work out differences with them that we can both grow and mature, and even if they are not honoring me I can still honor and value them despite the issue. Love says I have value for you, even if I disagree with you, even if you have hurt me, even if you do not value me, even if you do not hear me. Even if…. (Fill in the blank). Love is growing in the knowledge of who HE is. Love is growing past our stuck spots, and being willing to see our own sin, and taking responsibility for it. Authenticity comes from constantly learning how to be a grown-up, knowing that you are not, and being humble enough to admit it, transparent enough to share it, and rejoicing over the fact that any growth that you have made has been instigated and developed by the hands of the Lord. That this work in our lives is accomplished by Him, by the cross, by His blood, by His completed work, His death and resurrection. I want to know what love is, so I can love Him, love others and live loved.
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AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
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