Sit down. Let's have a talk about love!!!

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the topic of love. It seems that everyone has their own definition of love. Disagreements about the nature of love and misunderstandings of other people's concepts of love run rampant, ruining friendships and relationships alike. I don't claim to be completely right...but hearing other people's thoughts can help one formulate their own. So please, share with my your opinion on the topic.

As far as what I believe; Love is a choice. Many people will claim love is an emotion, but emotions are fickle. They change without reason. That can't be love. You see, our best example of love is our relationship with God. Our love should be fashioned after his. But to understand his love, we have to love one another. Seems like a circular argument, doesn't it. Lets go into more detail.

When Adam was created he was created alone. The time he spent alone made him aware that he was lacking. Lacking in companionship and in understanding of how to relate to someone on his level. His introduction to Eve (and consequent relationship with her) helped to form a basis for his understanding of God. It put into perspective where he was, and how Adam should relate to him.

But the topic of this note is humanly love. Adam and Eve's love. They could love each other because of God's example. The time he spent with them, the way he spoke to them, their relationship was an emulation of their relationship with God.

So how does all of this relate to us today? Many people feel they are incomplete without a partner. That is not true. Each and every person is created as a complete being. However, I do believe that the insight gained by being part of an intimate relationship helps us understand and relate better to not only those around us; but also God.

Not everyone needs this experience. But the overwhelming majority of us do. But we tend to go about finding it the wrong way. We confuse our lusts and our love. Lust is an emotion, fickle and constantly changing. Lust is based in the desires of our flesh, and being born into sin, our flesh naturally desires sin. Love however is a decision.

As our relationship with Christ grows, our decision making changes and begins to become more like his. Love isn't about looks or money. position or fame. Rather its about forming a long lasting relationship with someone who can positively benefit your relationship with Christ.

On a personal note. I realized what love was when I decided that I would do what was best for a certain person, no matter what it cost me. Though that relationship didn't work out, my understanding of love was formed through interaction with her. I then could understand how God loves us. How he would truly sacrifice anything for us.

You see, we often forget the sacrifices made for us, whether it be from parents, friends, strangers or even God. The balance of loving someone and being loved by someone can help us to constantly remember how much God loves us, and how much we should love others.

The times when things get bad forges us, cleanses us, makes us stronger. There are trials in relationships to test our love. Don't give up when you are in the crucible.... endure it because love is a choice, not an emotion. And in the end, your love, and your understanding of love will be greatly increased.