I was brought up as a Christian, reading the scripture and praying, from as early as I can remember. However, when I was young, I thought the world had something in it for me to gain. I searched for all the things I wanted to have one day. I worked hard to build my credit, so I could buy my own happiness. Independent of others help. Oh no, I did not want anyone’s help. However, it was not really because I did not want or even need help. It was because of my pride, believing I could possibly have been an island. Not to mention, my selfishness, not wanting to ask, so I would never feel obliged to give. I wanted and tried very hard to do everything as close to perfect as I possibly could, (thinking inside, if I were perfect, people would definitely have to love me). My attempts to win love with my semi-perfection backfired and gave me just the opposite results. I wanted love for myself, but I had no concern for others. I had somehow forgotten that anyone besides myself had feelings or even existed. When my first child was born, things slowly began to turn around as the words of the Holy Bible began to grow inside my heart and change my life.
Here are a handful of the scriptures that changed my point of view. (There are so many more to discover!)
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;…” *
Here is a mystery! Why would anyone want to love, bless or pray for an enemy? Consider how deep this love goes and who it is meant for.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground defending him.*
When I look at this awesome list of what Love is, I finally understand that, this is what I had been longing for, learning to give, and did not realize, had always belonged to me.
Have you been looking for this love and having a hard time finding it? This love cannot be seen with naked eyes. Try closing them; get down on your knees if you can. Pray and ask Jesus to be your personal Savior, then behold this beautiful Love you have never been missing, with your heart.
(Stay tuned there will be more to come!)
*References used: The Living Bible Paraphased 1972, Tyndale House Publishers & Coverdale House Publishers distributed by Doubleday & Company, Inc.