What is love?
Love is a word that is both hard to define and an overwhelming feeling that is difficult to describe. It seems as though no definition ever comes close to encompassing just how vibrant and compassionate the feeling of love truly is. Moments in which we feel truly loved are some of the most precious times in our lives and these are instances that serve to hold us up, even when we feel down. Giving and receiving love is one of the best ways to demonstrate just how much God truly loves each and every one of us. 1 John 4:19 states, “we love each other because he loved us first.” Without God’s love, we would be lost, wandering about this lonely world with no warmth to guide us home. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe the ways in which we all have benefitted from the kindness and tenderness of Jesus’ heart for us.
Whether it be love for our mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, friends, significant others, or even pets, we all know that the ways we demonstrate that love matter. In a book published by author Gary Chapman in 1992, he describes and identifies five types of love languages: physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, and quality time. It is not always easy to describe exactly how we feel about someone we love, and these are some ways in which we express that love without actually having to verbalize. Since love is a hard word to define, it becomes an even harder word to use. Some try to not say it at all, some repeat it over and over again, but the words I love you, will continue to hold the same significance no matter how much time goes by. We need love from the people around us in order to encourage us to grow, change, take on new challenges, and find confidence in who God has created us to be. And most importantly, we need to know that God first loved us, so that we can know how to love others around us.
God wired each of us intentionally to be loving and caring creatures. God knew that people needed people- and we do! That is why He created us each to be born into community through our families, create community through friendships, or build future communities through children. Although not everyone may choose to get married, the ways in which we love one another within romantic relationships will continue to be significant to the joy that we find on Earth. Human connection can grow deep and loving relationships that provide us with great security and hope for the future.
Each and every marriage is intended to reflect the relationship between God and His people. In fact, marriage is a frequently used metaphor throughout Scripture to define the ways in which God loves each and every one of us. Marriage is a sacred symbol of the ways in which God created us to love one another selflessly, compassionately, and humbly. Marriage is a faithful commitment to serve God alongside one another. Whether called to a life of marriage or singleness, we can be sure that our lives will be filled with love as we surround ourselves with people who push us further in our relationship with Christ. Growing together in likeness to the one who loves us the most!