Love is one of those things that are crucial in life and so it only makes sense that we understand it more.

We grow up ready to fight for what we believe is fact later to learn that we may not know what we think we know. Truth is so hard to find in the world. Which is why I quit looking in the world for truth and started asking God.

For those of you reading this that think you have it all figured out…and you may…please take a second to realize that not everyone has had the same upbringing, life lessons or even life experience.

The Love we are Taught

ADORATION Love

This love typically is expressed when we are children. People love you and are happy with who you are and are growing to be. This love is freely given initially. You are adored and you fall in the approval of their expectations and standards. We learn to seek approval from these people in almost everything that we do because unknowingly their love is not consistent. Their love weakens and strengthens with their approval of your actions.

REACTION LOVE

Some people are born into a life where love is a consequence related to expectations. You are always under scrutiny. If you do “this” then you get approval a.k.a “love”.

PROVEN LOVE

Some people begin to experience love when another person begins to feel loved. When we naturally or even unnaturally make other people feel good an attachment is created. This attachment can grow slowly or quickly and can last a long time or a short time. The result of making someone else feel good and their reaction to us in return begins to define a feeling we call love. Often this is where preteens and teenagers begin their definition of love.

I could go on and on however for today I’d like to focus on these 3. Maybe because it’s what I experienced or perhaps it’s what I’ve seen those around me experiencing lately.

The Bible explains 3 types of love…of course, a great study and you absolutely should learn them. However, this is not the focus of today’s writing. What I’d like to focus on is the realization that perhaps what we “know” about love may not be the absolute truth.
Think about situations you may have been in or are currently in. Do they fall into the top 3 categories? What happens when you fall out of their expectations? Do you foresee this love changing? Have you experienced this Love alter? Does it seem to have a rating? Perhaps sometimes they love you a little bit, sometimes a lot. Sometimes you are teetering on the love-meter and at any point, you may tip into the unloved side for a little while. Does your definition of love state that it is consistent? Should it weaken and strengthen? Does love always have the same definition in your life? Should it?

I define Love as unwavering

I can tell you what I do know. I know that Gods definition of Love is unconditional, everlasting and unwavering. I know that experiencing Unconditional Love in this world is nearly impossible. I also know that God helps to transform our understanding of Love when we ask Him.

I ask God to teach me what His design of Love is. I continue to ask because every experience requires new understanding and new faith and new love. 

I know that if we continue to seek Gods guidance in how to love others and love ourselves then amazing things will happen both inside us and around us. 

Above all, Love others deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins

-1 Peter 4:8

I pray that right now God helps you see the difference between this worlds definition of Love and His design of Love. I pray that this revelation awakens your spirit and overcomes the hurt you have faced in the past. I pray God reveals to you how He loves you and a deep inner knowing of who you begin to ingrain a new design of Love for your life. In Jesus name, I pray these things. Amen