The Excellence of Love

This week I was blessed to see some pictures from an old friend who got married. What a wonderful thing for her and her new husband (who I sincerely hope knows what a jewel he has!) and how exciting to see updates this week from their trip to Hawaii.

Her marriage got me thinking, and I turned to the timeless passage that speaks about love in the way that we are supposed to love each other, especially within a marriage.  Maybe you hope to be married someday. Maybe you are perfectly happy being single and have no thoughts of getting married. Either way, God has a plan for your life and a way to use you where you are.

What is the difference between love and lust? Lust is selfish, inwardly directed and is a natural human nature response. Yes, it is human nature to be filled with lust. However, God can overcome that. God’s love is the kind of love that transcends anything we’ve ever experienced and if we allow it, His kind of love can change our lives. Not just in the ‘washed in the blood, saved from eternal damnation’ way. God’s love can heal. God’s love can break down walls. God’s love can open hearts. God’s love can mend broken relationships. God’s love can show us how to truly love one another, through any type of relationship – marriage AND friendships. Include family in that too please.

Verse 8 says ‘love never fails.’ This is true. You say “Wait! What about all of these broken relationships I see all around me?”  If people allow a relationship to fail, even one within a ‘Christian’ home, then my opinion is they have not relied on God’s love to transform their relationship and their lives.  Verse 8 says LOVE is above everything.. gifts of prophecy, knowledge, speaking in tongues. This means love can conquer anything.

*****This does NOT count the relationships that have failed when one person walks away and the other is willing to work it out. Please do not misunderstand me on that. I know of several people who gave everything – and still are – to make the relationship work and one person in the relationship hardened their heart and walked away.*****

The final verse in chapter 13 says ‘But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.’

Abide in love. Love one another. All we need is love (okay, sorry, couldn’t resist that one).

God’s love is all we need. Through God’s love, working in our hearts, we can soften our own and learn to love the unlovable. It is my lesson too.

Sidenote - You are singing the Beatles now, aren't you?

Life and Lust

We all know the story of how Delilah betrayed Sampson, but have you read the whole story?  Sampson was a man of God, a champion for Israel, but he basically sold his soul for a woman who used her charm to lead him to his death, both physical and spiritual. Yes, Sampson trusted God and God blessed him with a final bout of strength to overcome, killing Delilah and his enemies all in one blow.

Why this story in a blog about dating? The story of Sampson and Delilah can be used as an example for both men and women and getting caught up in lust, allowing lust to take over the relationship. Sampson allowed his lust for Delilah to overtake him and his common sense, which destroyed him in the end. Had Sampson not fallen for her charms, he may have had a different ending.

I’ve seen a lot of people (men and women) fall for someone based on physical appearance, and then are crushed when their “relationship” doesn’t work out. Typically, a relationship built on physical appearance and lust won’t last, because the lust eventually fades away and you are left with a person you have nothing in common with and cannot stand, wondering why you even started a relationship with that person in the first place.

We are warned of immorality in Proverbs 5 and the pitfalls of succumbing to an immoral person. If you think you can withstand the seduction of an immoral man or woman, take another look at Sampson. Most of us have a story or two of someone who seduced us (or attempted to) and the aftermath of dealing with that seduction. How were you affected? What was your spiritual life like after that seduction happened? Were there any consequences besides spiritual ones? How did you recover?

Those questions are important –not to answer in a public forum – because if there has been no recovery, then you cannot be used to further the Kingdom of God. Know this: if you are still dwelling in the sins of your past, there is a way out of it. God loves you and wants to use you AND your mistakes. How can He do this? God wants us to confess our sins to Him, so He can lovingly forgive us and guide us to a Christ centered life.

When we confess our sins, and God forgives us, He can use your mistakes to potentially teach others from what you have learned. Or He will bring someone into your life that is currently where you have been, or someone who could be heading in that direction. Perhaps you will be able to steer them back on course. Only God really knows how He can use your mistakes, but if you allow Him to lead your life, He can and will use it.

You can be a blessing to someone if you will allow God to guide your life, rather than you trying to run your life.

Renewal

My first blog of the new year. It is hard to believe 2012 is here already, with much to look forward to. Finishing my Master’s degree. Several vacations coming up. Election year.  There is a lot to absorb and a lot going on. This doesn’t change the fact that I am still single, although I am quite satisfied with where I am in my life.

With the beginning of the year, thoughts of renewal come into my mind. The world will begin its renewal cycle too, and spring will come, and with spring, we will have flowers and trees budding, new life everywhere. There comes a point though, that we humans need renewal in our lives as well. Growing up I listened to Carman a lot (he’s the guy who did The Champion) and one of his songs has been running through my mind lately. That song is Whiter Than Snow, and it talks about how we come from a place of sin, and Christ’s love and sacrifice washes us whiter than snow. However, we have to choose that love, and we have to accept Christ made the sacrifice so we can live forever. Jesus says, “Come now, though your sin be as red as scarlet, I'll wash you whiter than snow.”

How does a life with Christ relate to dating? I think we have nothing without Jesus. If we try this dating thing on our own, we are surely going to fail. If we avoid and turn away from our worldly lusts and wants, Christ will make the dating world so much easier to navigate. There isn’t much of a guide in the Bible to tell us how to date, but we have Jesus as an example of how to behave and how to treat others.

We also know if we fail to follow God’s direction in our lives, we will fail in everything. Giving my life to Christ was not a foolish decision I made as a child who didn’t know any better. I gave my life to Christ so that I could live without fear. I went through a period of rebellion and caused myself and my Jesus a whole lot of grief. I rebelled in every area of my life, and I know living that way isn’t fun. Anyone who tells you that the ‘party’ lifestyle is where it’s at are a bunch of fools. It is hard, emotionally, mentally and physically. The things the physical body goes through while living that way are tremendously difficult to endure. Sustainment of these actions is even more difficult.

Basically, trust in God. Trust in His Word. Believe in Him and what He says. Reason together with the Lord, and let Him show you a tremendous life. Trust in Him and see what kind of future He unfolds for you.

When you meet that man or that woman (depending on who you are in reading this), trust in GOD to make it happen. Don’t try to do it yourself.