What is Love?
"Love's not love
When it is mingled with regards that stands
Aloof from th' entire point."
Shakespeare is known for his brilliant insights into life, such that his works are still fondly read, recited, acted out and used today, more than 300 years since his passing. I read the quote above in the tragedy of King Lear, which i did for my A levels years ago. I never really thought much about it cos although it struck me as something rather clever and insightful, I guess I didn't have the life experiences that would make this quote even more pertinent and poignant.
Upon much reflection, I've come to realise that I've never really loved in the purest way before - the way that God loves us. Most of the time it has been selfish. Even when I claim to love God, it's because He has loved me first, and it's cos of a fear that if I do not love Him in return, I will never be able to enter His heavenly gates. When it comes to loving others, worst still. Love was always an exchange; there was always an expectation that love had to be returned or it would not be worth the effort to love someone else.
To really love is so difficult... even the bible makes it sound so daunting. "Love thy neighbour as thyself"... "Love is patient, love is kind... love never fails... (1 Cor 13)"... "love thy enemies"... And then there's the reality that Bon Jovi put so barely in his song:
When it is mingled with regards that stands
Aloof from th' entire point."
Shakespeare is known for his brilliant insights into life, such that his works are still fondly read, recited, acted out and used today, more than 300 years since his passing. I read the quote above in the tragedy of King Lear, which i did for my A levels years ago. I never really thought much about it cos although it struck me as something rather clever and insightful, I guess I didn't have the life experiences that would make this quote even more pertinent and poignant.
Upon much reflection, I've come to realise that I've never really loved in the purest way before - the way that God loves us. Most of the time it has been selfish. Even when I claim to love God, it's because He has loved me first, and it's cos of a fear that if I do not love Him in return, I will never be able to enter His heavenly gates. When it comes to loving others, worst still. Love was always an exchange; there was always an expectation that love had to be returned or it would not be worth the effort to love someone else.
To really love is so difficult... even the bible makes it sound so daunting. "Love thy neighbour as thyself"... "Love is patient, love is kind... love never fails... (1 Cor 13)"... "love thy enemies"... And then there's the reality that Bon Jovi put so barely in his song:
"Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds and mars
Takes a lot of pain, takes a lot of pain
Oh... love hurts"
As Dan reminded us in his previous post, Bro Mike put this even more plainly... "who has loved and has never been hurt in return?" And of course, who else more so than our Father in heaven, who sent us His only Son to die for our sins? When all He did was to create us in love, giving us ALL His love, and we brushed Him aside time and time again... He came down to love, and we nailed Him to a cross!
God's love is AGAPE... it is unconditional, irrational, indiscriminate, boundless... and He calls us to love each other in the same way. He loves us even though often times we push Him away, neglect Him, reject Him, forget about Him, or even curse Him and sin against Him. Father Frans' insight into love is wonderful:
Love wounds and mars
Takes a lot of pain, takes a lot of pain
Oh... love hurts"
As Dan reminded us in his previous post, Bro Mike put this even more plainly... "who has loved and has never been hurt in return?" And of course, who else more so than our Father in heaven, who sent us His only Son to die for our sins? When all He did was to create us in love, giving us ALL His love, and we brushed Him aside time and time again... He came down to love, and we nailed Him to a cross!
God's love is AGAPE... it is unconditional, irrational, indiscriminate, boundless... and He calls us to love each other in the same way. He loves us even though often times we push Him away, neglect Him, reject Him, forget about Him, or even curse Him and sin against Him. Father Frans' insight into love is wonderful:
"We were created in love,
We are destined for love,
and everything else in between is love"
I know... whatever has been written so far doesn't really answer the question... WHAT IS LOVE? I know what it shouldn't be, be not exactly what it should be, although things have been said and written on it... but I know where to look towards when I am confused... my Lord Jesus on the cross.
We are destined for love,
and everything else in between is love"
I know... whatever has been written so far doesn't really answer the question... WHAT IS LOVE? I know what it shouldn't be, be not exactly what it should be, although things have been said and written on it... but I know where to look towards when I am confused... my Lord Jesus on the cross.
"Lord, teach me to love like You
Indiscriminately, irrationally,
unconditionally and boundlessly"
Rhino 5
Indiscriminately, irrationally,
unconditionally and boundlessly"
Rhino 5
posted by Rhino for God! at 1:55 AM
1 Comments:
I'm impressed with your site, very nice graphics!
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